Sadly, This is Not a Parody
Now that George Bush will be leaving office in 2000, Ralph Nader is very helpfully reminding us of how he got there. Yes, Ralph Nader now has an exploratory committee for a 2008 presidential run.
Let us instead weigh the possibility of pulling together half a million dedicated citizens collectively rising up off our couches and organizing a ground force in every Congressional district in the country.
That would be nice. It would also be nice if the Green Party leaders who are listed on that site were capable of organizing more than the odd candidate or two for state representative every election. For a "grassroots" party, the Greens resemble the Libertarians more than anyone else in their penchant for running for as few races as organizationally possible. (Yes, there are exceptions to this rule, but in no state are the Greens a political force of any sort.)
Every time Ralph Nader runs for president, I am reminded of his appearance on a Sesame Street special from 1988. As a "consumer advocate" he manages, whilst inspecting Bob McGrath's cardigan from his Aunt Myrtle, to pull off all of the buttons, rip off a pocket, and rend a sleeve to bits. And somehow, his effort is supposed to be worthwhile.
Labels: Ralph Nader, Sesame Street, stupid "independent" tricks






