Ralph Nader: "Only The Super-rich Can Save Us!"

[pakarpis]

Thanks for all the years of working to improve America and consumer rights all over the world, seat belts, airbags, consumer reports. and the Multinational Monitor. Your not perfect, I wish you hadn't split the vote when Al Gore ran but your human like the rest of us. Great

ideas take vision to spark the imagination you certainly have shared that with this new book.

[dolphwong]

Screw you Nader. Buffet is one of the robber baron capitalists who engineered the bailout for his Goldman Sachs buddies. You are a disinfo agent

[davedavedaveannoy1]

Pure Capitalism and a limited Libertarian government is the only thing that can get close to Utopia. Utopia itself is nothing more then an impossible pipe dream, however this can get pretty close to the concept. We need to release the governments restraints on all private business, taxes I can take but everything else must go. If you have reason to question or agree with me simply do a direct reply to this or message me.

[1neomonkey]

He's my hero! I love him, and should be the President. What a great man!

[DG3744]

Ralph Nader is a terrorist!! He is a Lebanese terrorist!!!

[ecordy75]

Ralph Nader is the most courageous person on earth. So are those who speak out for UFO disclosure. They do not get free-paid government jobs. Nader does not get a free ride from massive corporate subsidies. Anyone who preaches about political courage has zero right to say a word against Nader, Socialists, Greens.

[ecordy75]

People need to be forced to compute the consequences of their actions - that means, their votes, their consumption, their shopping habits, etc - before they are allowed to vote or act. Vast majority of people on this planet (not just in USA) are too dumb to do this.

If you don't like communism, if you don't like that you can't buy something you want, THAT is an emotional reaction. It is bullshit to think that there's a clear division between "economic" vs "emotional" sets of decisions.

[ecordy75]

If people really want to know about truth that the media suppresses, show what prisons are like in the USA and throughout the world. More importantly, show prisoners' points-of-view on issues, not just on why they are held hostage in prison.

Stop government tax-free codding of religion = bullshit. Give equal airtime to pro-animal rights groups, to those with different views on UFOs (i.e. those who accept the Alien hypothesis for many of them).

[ecordy75]

Ralph Nader is an international hero. I am honored to have met him in person 3X, spoke with him once.

Only he and the Socialists and Greens fight corporate welfare. Libertarians claim to, but their theory is too idealistic.

My friend bought his Super-rich book. I read the first 80 pages. Great stuff, although it's not his best work.

[ecordy75]

People need to know some hard truths:

1) humans cause global warming is FACT

2) there are too many humans: if any one says there aren't, then they have ZERO right to complain about "lax" immigration

3) you cannot preach that "freedom isn't free" - and then complain about the ACLU, or about civilians using violent force to justly overthrow a government - whether Iran or USA or anywhere

4) Holocaust of factory farms must be shown on tv. Meat must be outlawed.

[moonmist21]

who the fuck is ralph nader? ppl at my school keep saying to vote for him..someone please set me straight on this xD

[TheStallion3]

google him.... He's one of the most important figures in recent American political history and has never held any office.

[moonmist21]

thanks

[mkjackson]

This is not related to the post directly but ever notice that the right who seems to support the idea of a draft is so against raising taxes to support the war that only they seem to want?

"Take our children whether they want to or not, but DON'T TAKE OUR MONEY, OUR MONEY HAS A CHOICE!"

Also never mentioned, lower taxes help big business as well as small (more so actually) and if there's a bigger enemy to small business, it's BIG BUSINESS! This is entry level stuff, no research required!

[mkjackson]

You mention a great point that money comes at a great price but money is also a vehicle for power. Without it then only the guy with the bigger stick has power. The problem is that the aristocratic mega-rich have infiltrated the only institution that could regulate said power and keep it better dispersed.

Why not simply tax imports to compensate for lost work at home? If it costs $0.50 to make a $2 bike then tax $1.50 when it arrives!

I still don't see how you can crucify this man.

[eyeswideoopen]

I'm all for taxing imports. And we should use the tariff to rebuild our own manufacturing base. That is the solution to our economy.

[mkjackson]

EWO, I'm glad that we're starting to agree on a few things.

If nothing else I think these threads are showing the importance of discussion over arguing (which is basically just assault of a verbal type shared between parties).

Ralph may have done something some could see as strange (certainly) with this book but I really don't think he's a corporate lapdog. I can see how that conclusion is reached but I don't think it's 100% accurate (or even 10% accurate IMHO).

[eyeswideoopen]

Nothing in this country is as it seems to be except for the fact that behind every do-gooder there is a money motive and a benefactor who is the beneficiary. Call me jaded if you like, but I've spent a lot of time studying this and our government has betrayed the American people so it isn't out of the realm of possibility that Ralph Nader has become a tool for what he perceives as a higher purpose. [Which I perceive as yet another betrayal].

[jtvagop]

No. Take ECON 100. Free Trade is necessary.

[Raford146]

There's never been such a thing as "free trade". It's fantasy.

[eyeswideoopen]

Continued) You may not be aware of it, but the Super Rich - Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, John Chambers and others are parties in a criminal conspiracy to implement a communist system of control in this country using technology as the means. The "New Economy" is a centrally planned economy. The Smart Grid is the control grid - and they intend to control your every movement, your every breath. Do some serious research. Money comes with a price - and their price is too high.

[metallicarules2324]

so what do we do?

[eyeswideoopen]

"It is better to die on your feet, then to live on your knees." - Emiliano Zapata We need to get out of those international agreements - stop the flood of imports that are killing our economy and we need to rebuild our industrial base. To do all of that, we need to elect people with spines and testicular fortitude.

[mkjackson]

Testicular fortitude? So WOMEN need not apply? I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, just trying to show you how anyone can read too much into something and then misconstrue the point of what was said.

My little anecdote aside, I agree, we as a people need to start voting for practicality and feasibility instead of using our feelings.

Why do no politicians say that we need to stop all wars and tax the rich help to pay our debts or let China own us (so much for no money in communism!)

[eyeswideoopen]

It's not that women need not apply. After all, I am a woman and I'm out here swinging every day. I am woman. I am warrior. There just isn't a feminine equivalent to testicles that conveys the same warrior image. Ex. "ovarian fortitude" - see? Doesn't cut it.

[mkjackson]

You're still missing my point though. I'm trying to point out that it's very easy to over-read into the information that's available to come to a completely wrong conclusion, maybe not even completely wrong, but certainly inaccurate. The fact that you're a woman and I was (understandably I hope) wrong is a great example of that point.

As for a gender neutral alternative, how about "intestinal fortitude" which would imply that we need people who don't get queasy at the sight of hard decisions?

[eyeswideoopen]

No.. intestinal fortitude won't do it. We need Braveheart warriors. A big part of our problem is that it has become socially unacceptable to display emotion so we have debates on critical issues in the tones of Nurse Ratchett speaking to the patients in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'. If a person can't convey the urgency of now in a way that they recognize as DANGER! ALERT! THINK! then we can't keep their attention long enough for them to internalize the msg. Sad commentary I know.

[mkjackson]

But isn't emotional commentary the weapon of those who seek to induce hysterics which is a bit too prevalent at this point?

I think emotional commentary was exactly what the previous administration was banking on to get itself involved again in the middle-east and 9/11 provided that in excess. I think the American people need to calm down and think more practically with economics and reason (both enemies of emotion based-decisions).

Emotional commentary makes me think Fox/CNN and WWE. ;-D

[eyeswideoopen]

I can't argue with you there. They did poison the well but it was with disinfo and stupidity. Our problem is that there are some really hard truths that people need to hear that they are not hearing. And quite frankly, it's driving me crazy :) And I don't mean global warming and the rest of that trash pseudo science. They need to hear that the plan for the U.S. is the Morganthau Plan for post WWII Germany - and the same fate projected for them will befall us if we don't stop it NOW.

[mkjackson]

My hope is that a voice of reason (of which the only one I feel is out there with enough exposure and reputation ATM is Nader) will get people to start seeing the news outlets as the charlatans that they are and in turn poison their well.

When reason returns to politics then maybe those who've been turned off and feel disenfranchised may return to the circle.

I don't think that most people buy the garbage, they just see too much trash to participate, the remains are the radical(IMHO).

[eyeswideoopen]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for reason to return. Both political parties - and the congress itself are wholly owned subsidiaries the corporate trade associations. Only the wrapping on the package of the party platforms differ. The agenda is being driven from the background and it stays the same no matter which party gets to put their puppet in office. The whole system is rotten to the core and I don't see anybody on the horizon who can fix it - least of all Ralph, Warren & Bill.

[ecordy75]

Great comment about "socially unacceptable to display emotion" in debates. Same, too, in public and private schools, where extremist "zero-tolerance" policies against schoolchildren or even teachers against displaying any kind of anger, even when that rage is justified.

[eyeswideoopen]

continued) That lawsuit brought the government into the production of automobiles setting the precedent for government intervention into production of vehicles. Could it have been a set up between Ralph and the insurance companies? Sure. Could the media have been complicit in the fraud? Sure. And the reason I say that is because an NBC producer was busted setting up just such a fraud against GM while GM was engaged in a lawsuit. Research it.

[mkjackson]

As Ralph Nader stated, this book is a fantasy along the same line as the Marvel comic series "What if..." though the title if it were in that series would be "What if the super-rich cared enough to empower the people they benefit from?"

[eyeswideoopen]

Bill Gates is a traitor piece of dung and so is Warren Buffet. Ralph Nader wrote this book allegedly as satire because of the reaction he would get for promoting the idea of taking money to rebuild our country as a fascist 21st century police state controlled by technology - brought to you courtesy of Microsh*t. Make no mistake about this... Ralph Nader sold out and this book is a lame attempt at covering his a** so he can still play both sides.

[mkjackson]

I'm sorry EyesWideOpen but can you please give a solid example of when Ralph Nader ever played "both sides". Which sides you're talking about (left/right, liberal/conservative, democrat/republican, socialist/capitalist)? It seems like you're just trying to bash Ralph Nader with only emotion to back it because this video certainly doesn't.

As far as history has shown, Ralph Nader has never been afraid to be HIS OWN side in the eyes of adversity whether it's his opponents or his supporters.

[eyeswideoopen]

@mkjackson This book he wrote is an obvious example. In his campaign for the presidency, he hammered the corporations - but now with this book even though he's using the names of the wealthy, we all know that the source of their wealth is the corporations that Ralph raled against. Also, step outside your political blinders for a second and think .. Ralph Nader was a lawyer when he did his work on the Pinto and the gas tank. Who might have paid him to do that work? The insurance companies.

[mkjackson]

What you're saying then is that he's playing both sides of the fence on the issue of corporate greed but this book says outright how the corporations SHOULD be helping US but aren't.

I have no blinders save the need of EVIDENCE, not assumptions. I refuse to believe "the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence".  Didn't work the first time.

I'm hearing assumptions on your part with no proof but it's common knowledge that thanks to Ralph Nader's work you have seatbelts and then some.

[mkjackson]

Folks, he's not saying this is his belief. He wrote a fictional novel about how the world can be saved if the upper 1% decided to be moral for a change and thought about the benefits they can do to the world instead of their own corporate self interests. If I was stupid-rich with billions of dollars I could help Nader get elected but being unemployed with $100k in debt to school I'm useless with the exception that I can still vote and tell people about Nader. He hasn't sold out. He's honest.

[Chiparoo22]

Yeah - Right ! Ralph is a sell-out, suddenly lost his marbles ! How naive can you be ! ! ! ? ? ?

[eyeswideoopen]

I am just beside myself with rage. Bill Gates promoted the export of American jobs to India... and he promotes the import of Indians to take jobs away from American citizens. And now Ralph Nader wants us to believe that Bill Gates will save us? Un fricking believable! Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and the rest of the filty corporate pigs destroyed our economy and now we're supposed to bow and beg for their money? NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!

[eyeswideoopen]

Good God! Even Ralph Nader has sold out. He is promoting the idea that the super rich can save us. This is a new low for Nader and his benefactors. He sold out. Bill Gates is using the Foundation to implement the GII which sells Microsoft software to benefit himself. They are promoting the smart grid so they can control your energy usage - and charge you more for it. Tell these filthy pigs to take their money and shove it where the sun don't shine.

[StephanAOTTOl]

The super rich like Bill Gate, Warren Buffet, George Soros should all be held accountable to pay to help people out of crisis. It's not enough that they set up "foundations" which they get huge tax breaks for doing so. Their philanthropic motives are not altruistic...more like "tax shelters" so they can "piggy bank" more of their greedy wealth. This is what is wrong in the world..imbalance and lop-sided flow of money for a pig few and the masses broke. They've sold us out to "Made in China"

[22Angst]

The republicans(actually Karl Rove) were so scared of Nader in 2000 that he was denied access and even threatened with arrest when trying to attend a debate. He would have stomped Gore and Bush on any topic and they damn well knew it and got away with keeping him out. This isn't opinion - It is fact.

[JustMeHere9]

People like Warren Buffet aren't smart..just "lucky" because wealth only comes because of "another's" poverty. Wealth and poverty are like black and white, hot and cold, up and down, sweet and sour etc. He lucked in. No more than that-he's nothing special. The same maggots that eat the poor when they die will get him too. The guy needs a serious reality check and a lot less yes men/women leeches around him encouraging him to make more bucks for them. Expose their agenda -the clown will fold

[Berialavrenti]

i can't believe people voted for someone like george W. bush and won't vote for Nader.

all this al gore bulshit is just copied from nader.

[ryanshaunkelly]

nader paul kucinich gravel

[jasonqlwilliams]

I finally see it, I'm locked in.

[rerite2]

RN will be in Pasadena, CA next week at Vroman's bookstore. Oct 2, I think. In his 70's and going strong. One smart guy.

[JustMeHere9]

Super rich types like Warren Buffet who has "too" much money already could have shown a "generous" side and ponied up some to help people prevent home foreclosures. The guy is almost 80 and has lived the high life..why can't he stop his obsession with "more" and help out those with "less"?

The rich need to get their priorities straight because in a world of inequality their wealth comes at the expense of millions of poor. The imbalance caused by them and their ilk is staggering-sad.

[b0b0maj0]

You know he is donating most of his money to charity when he dies?

[JustMeHere9]

What the hell good is that "after" he dies? Will it "pain:" him to give some while he is alive? That just proves what a old scrooge he is hanging onto it until he breathes his last. There is so much pain in the world, starvation and inequality due to types like him that hoard wealth while others struggle around the world. There's nothing wrong with making money-but-there is a point where money like his is "too much" for 1 guy. It's evil of him to part with his cash only after he's dead. Sick!

[clintdanz]

Wow......I have always said this.......you are right on!

[comicvolcano1]

I bet that more ppl wished thay had voted for Ralph Nader now a FOOLS

[connorqb17]

@comicvolcano1 Nah, I think now people wish they had voted for Ron Paul. He is the best candidate in my opinion. Chuck Baldwin is like his vice president, Nader is like a cabnet member. That would be a good start I think.

[donotfret]

@comicvolcano1 I voted for him because I realize charm and charisma don't=good... People are retards

[survey]

Looking Backward is a must read.

[mst3jay]

I cannot wait to get the book! I should be getting it this weekend. I love Ralph Nader--he is an inspiration to me, and easily one of the greatest political minds of the 21st century. His speeches (lectures) on Youtube are better than any presidential, motivational, addresses I have ever heard.

[terpis]

Nice idea, and a worthwhile narrative with which to direct condemnation at the plutocrats, especially ones with liberal leanings.

Boy oh boy, though...are we up shit's creek if this is what's left of hopey-changeyness.

[OrmEmber]

terpis wrote: "especially ones with liberal leanings".

Um, terpis, is the "liberals" that are fighting for universal healthcare, unions for underpaid workers, and better schools for the poor. Why does that deserve condemnation?

[terpis]

Because Nader has been a pitbull for the interests of ordinary Americans, against the plutocrats who own this place, & work hard to repress its democratic aspects and impulses.

No one has kicked more corporate ass, or been more relentless, or more innovative. I voted for him as a Floridian in 2000, and never have regretted it for a minute. Nader's America is my America.

So if he says now that our best hope in this bleakness is to beg the super-rich to save us...we're in deep shit indeed.

[Spacecoastz]

great post..I was proud to vote for Nader in 2008 and was the only person in my community that had a non-Obama/McCain sign