Against the wishes of many whom supported him in the 2000 presidential race, Ralph Nader has decided to run again. Anti-Bush activists put up a website urging Nader to reconsider (http://www.turtlerock.com/RalphDontRun/) within days of the announcement of his candidacy. Though Nader didn’t gather five percent of the vote, his voter support could have changed the results of the election had they been cast for Gore. Running this time as independent Nader lacks the support of the Green Party, cutting back significantly on his chances of success. His running is counterproductive to his goals. Among Nader’s goals: cracking down on corporate crime, environmental protection, restoring civil liberties and creating world peace. Each of these issues is one Bush has repeatedly worked against and will continue to do so if reelected.
On corporate crime: One of Bush’s close friends is Ken Lay, the former CEO of Enron, the company responsible for the largest bankruptcy fraud case in U.S. history. Enron was one of the biggest contributors to Bush’s campaign.
On the environment: Bush has removed America from multiple international environmental committees. He has dissolved more international treaties than any other president in US history. He has neglected to do anything about hazardous pollutants found in public drinking water on multiple occasions; these pollutants include arsenic and occasionally are produced by companies that contribute to Bush’s campaign.
On civil liberties: Bush’s cabinet has yet to fully disclose what their Patriot Act entitles law enforcement agencies to do. For all we know, we are living in an Orwellian “Big Brother” government system right now. Bush also urged the Senate to make the Patriot Act permanent.
On world peace: Before his election, Bush claimed it was not America’s job to be “nation building” in other countries. Since his election, Bush has stormed two countries for that exact purpose. He has declared war, against the constant urgings of the UN and sullied our relationship with many countries. Due to these practices, Bush has set the world record for most people publicly protesting him at once (about 15 million people).
Bush has proven to be highly adept at representing the polar opposite ideals to everything Nader holds dear. Nader could potentially be a factor allowing Bush to get elected a second time. Nader’s candidacy is vain, selfish and shortsighted. He is a man with no support trying desperately to remind the world that he still exists. I hadn’t forgotten him, as I have been cursing his name ever since he helped put Bush in office. While he may not have been the only factor in Gore’s defeat, he was a factor large enough that, if he had been removed, Gore would be president right now. We wouldn’t be stuck in the middle of perhaps the worst economic situation in US history if he hadn’t run. I hold Nader responsible, and if he does it again I’m taking up a blood oath of vengeance upon him. KHAN!!!
Dan Goldstein can be contacted at [email protected]