Nader campaigns point out corruption

Mr. Ralph Nader, the well-known consumer rights advocate, has taken on another monumental task for himself. He wants to bring the truth of corrupt American politics to all of his fellow citizens and to Canadians.

The focus of his message: The US government is corrupt. It is full of extortion, bribery, injustice and influence peddling.

To put this message forward, he has accepted the American Green Party nomination as candidate for President of the United States.

The opposition parties, which are controlled by corporate interests, have a stranglehold on the government. They are not making it easy for him to present his views. Exclusionary laws have already been enacted in an effort to prevent undesirable upstarts from political debates and participation until they have at least 15% of the public support -- A daunting obstacle in any country, but particularly hard in one without a Proportional Representative government, such as in both the US and Canada.

Mr. Nader feels that there is a potential to win but only if the message can be spread and understood. He knows that Americans are so disenchanted with the government that they stay away from the polls in droves; fifty-one percent of those eligible to vote chose to sit at home, rather than vote in the last election.

Winona LaDuke is Nader's vice-presidential running mate. She has been quoted as saying that she and Nader will win "if the largest faction of this election -- those who don't usually vote -- vote for us."

There are a lot of individuals who would like to see political changes but have no idea on how to achieve this goal. Mr. Nader admitted that the media seldom ask him about his views on Proportional Representative government. This is because relatively few Americans are aware there are more sensible and just electoral systems.

Mr. Nader was in Toronto on Wednesday, August 30^th. He spoke at the U of T to several hundred enthusiastic and receptive people for two hours. The audience was small. There were only 3 days notice of his desire to speak in Toronto. Unfortunately many missed out on a great event.

I personally drove down to Toronto to hear this eloquent and knowledgeable man speak. He fielded questions from the media and then the public. He faltered on nothing. Bosnia, Iraq, Cuba, China, unjust sanctions, stupid foreign policies, spent-uranium tank ammunition, NAFTA, the WTO, the need for grass roots participation in all issues -- he waited patiently for the questions, (which were sometimes complicated and long-winded) and he answered them all, with obvious knowledge and concern.

Fifty states have now heard his message -- some more than once. His swing through Oregon drew 10,500 supporters from around the state. Many had to be turned away as there was no more room in both the Portland and Seattle events.

Why is he disenchanted with his home country's politics?

He points out that the poverty in the US is reprehensible. Twenty percent of the children grow up in poverty. The rate should be a national shame. It is the highest in the western world.

He pointed out that fourty-five million people are without health insurance. The so-called insurers throw up obstacles to paying for your treatments. They exclude any pre-existing condition when you change jobs. The administration cost of the system is double that of Canada's, and riddled with fraudulent billing practices.

He feels that the formation of unionized labour is hampered at every opportunity. The government enacts laws to support the corporate lobbyists on this issue, making it difficult for even two-worker families to make an acceptable living.

He pointed out that labour has less purchasing power now than they did in 1979 even though the economy is booming, and unemployment numbers are at an all time low.

He would attack "corporate welfare," where $200,000,000 is given to corporations in bailouts, subsidies, and obvious tax loopholes.

He would abolish the federal giveaway of mineral rich land, the below market value land leases, and the gift of taxpayer-financed research to corporate interests.

He would drastically reduce the run-away military budget.

Price gouging by drug companies is another of his concerns. The emotion of the injustice was evident in his talk.

He abhors corporate fat-cats who gouge the system. Some executives make $50,000 a day, not including the perks of the position, whereas their labouring employees may make under $100 for their same day's toil.

He pointed out that CEOs in 1940 were compensated with approximately 12 times the entry rate of other employees of the organization. Now they want, and get, a ratio in excess of 416 to 1.

Why did a Presidential candidate come to Canada to campaign? He hopes that he can reach the 250,000 Americans who now live in southern Ontario, and to encourage them to cast their absentee ballots in the next election.

&"I'm running for President because the only way we are going to regain control of our political institutions is to help build a progressive political movement that will break up the concentration of power and wealth -- a plutocracy that reigns over our political government -- creating a widening democracy gap," he said, in his press release.

He stressed that Canadians should not be so modest. Be aware of individual Canadian's, and Canada's, contribution to the world. Be proud and be aware that the same corporate powers that corrupt the US are active in Canada and elsewhere.

Is anyone out there?