Kirjahaku

Essential writings from the Green Party's 2000 Presidential candidate.

Straight talk about George W. Bush, corporate government, and the whole charade of presidential campaigning -- from the last honest man in American politicsRalph Nader -- brilliant visionary, relentless activist -- may be the most honest man left in politics. And yet his presidential campaigns have faced consistent opposition -- mainly from Democrats afraid that competition from an inspiring independent could dent their voting block.Now, in The Good Fight, Nader swings back harder than ever at those who "want to block the American people from having more voices and choices" and have lost touch with the concept that votes must be earned, not inherited or entitled. While taking on corporate-occupied Washington and the government's daily abuse of ordinary citizens, he urges a speedy return to stronger civic motivation. If fed-up citizens don't actively join the fight for better leadership, then ultimately we have no one to blame but ourselves for the inadequate checks on the erosion of our civil liberties.In an era when politicians sell us rhetoric and then sell out our principles, Nader stands as a crucial voice of candor. The Good Fight is a stirring response to politics as usual, one that will captivate readers of all political stripes and help us define what we must do to shape the brightest future for our nation.

In 2007, Ralph Nader published "The Seventeen Traditions", a small-format, thoughtful survey of seventeen lessons in ethics and values he took away from his small-town Connecticut childhood. Now, five years later - in a much more desperate time - he returns to this bite-size, accessible format to offer seventeen ambitious but common-sense solutions to the nation's seemingly intractable economic and social problems. In "The Seventeen Solutions", Nader surveys the stark, concrete contrasts between the kind of society and economy America can and should have, and the way most people now have to live - and live without. In a hard-hitting introduction and seventeen tightly focused chapters, he chastises corporate America (of which the government is now essentially a subset) for the dispossession of the American people. His solutions include: Cracking Down on Corporate Crime; Getting Corporations Off Welfare; Requiring National Charters for Corporations; Fundamental Tax Reform; Reducing the Massive Military Budget; Innovative New Programs to Create Job Growth; Returning Control of the Public Forum to the People; Returning Control of Science and Academia to the People; Overthrowing the Hydrocarbon Empire; Ending the Commercialization of Childhood; Replacing Spectator Sports with Participatory Sports; Fostering Community Control of Health, Housing, Credit, and more; Rebooting Civic Education; Reforming the Criminal and Judicial Systems; Facilitating Large-Scale Recruitment into Civic Reform Groups; Promoting Organized Watchdog Groups Nationwide; Starting The Engine-Recruiting Wealthy; and Progressive Citizens to Make a Difference. In an age when the Occupy movement is raising consciousness about the inherent potential for excess and cruelty within the American economic system - yet still struggling to provide solutions - Ralph Nader's radical yet practical "Seventeen Solutions" offer fodder for debate, and important ideas designed to save the country before it's too late.

Ralph Nader is known for his lifetime of progressive activism and fearless critique of corruption in American politics and society. Yet in this fresh and inspiring new book, Nader takes a look backward - at a serene and enriching childhood spent in bucolic Winsted, Connecticut, and at the traditions he absorbed within his family. From listening to learning, from patriotism to argument, from work to simple enjoyment, Nader revisits seventeen traditions he learned from his parents, his siblings, and the people in his community, and draws from them inspiring lessons for today's society. Blending memoir and thoughtful inspiration, Nader offers readers a chance to look back on a time in American history when the family and the natural world were central in a child's understanding of how to be a conscientious adult. Among the seventeen traditions he celebrates: The Tradition of Listening; The Tradition of Charity; The Tradition of Civics; The Tradition of Work; The Tradition of Patriotism; and The Tradition of Simple Enjoyment. In his warmest and most personal writing to date, Nader fondly describes his father's restaurant business and how it taught him about work, community and how to share in the spirits of others; the value of his mother's ethnic cooking and how it defined his relationship with his heritage, and the hours he spent as a child wondering through the undeveloped forests of Connecticut where he learned the value of solitude. In doing so, he reawakens our own memories of the blessings of a simpler time - and of the enduring values of family, community, and love that gave him the courage to lead a meaningful life.

Millions of consumers play the insurance game but don t know how to win. Now Ralph Nader, internationally renowned consumer advocate, and attorney Wesley J. Smith have joined forces to show you how to beat the insurance companies at their own game. In Winning the Insurance Game, Nader and Smith walk you through complex laws and fine print, alerting you to the loopholes and clarifying the world of insurance. In this groundbreaking book, newly revised and updated to include the latest information, they help put an end to unnecessary spending by offering hundreds of practical tips. Learn six steps to lowering your automobile insurance premium, how to choose a good HMO or PPO health plan, and what insurance you should never buy. Before you buy any insurance, read this book. It can save you money and help to ensure that you get the coverage you really need."

"Nader's assessment of how concentrated wealth and power undermine democracy is clear and compelling, but it's his substantive vision of how we ought to respond that makes Breaking Through Power essential reading. Written just before Donald Trump's Electoral College victory, Nader's latest book reads with even greater urgency now."--Yes Magazine In Breaking Through Power, Ralph Nader draws from a lifetime waging--and often winning--David vs. Goliath battles against big corporations and the United States government. In this succinct, Tom Paine-style wake-up call, the iconic consumer advocate highlights the success stories of fellow Americans who organize change and work together to derail the many ways in which wealth manipulates politics, labor, media, the environment, and the quality of national life today. Nader makes an inspired case about how the nation can--and must--be democratically managed by communities guided by the United States Constitution, not by the dictates of big businesses and the wealthy few. This is classic Ralph Nader, a crystallization of the core political beliefs and commitments that have driven his lifetime of advocacy for greater democracy. "Ralph Nader is the grand progressive of our time. We overlook his words at our own peril! This book is required reading."--Cornel West "Ralph Nader's Breaking Through Power is a brilliant analysis of corporate power and the popular mechanisms that can be used to wrest back our democracy. No one has been fighting corporate domination longer, or understands it better, than Nader, who will go down in history not only as a prophet but an example of what it means to live the moral life. We disregard his wisdom and his courage at our peril."--Chris Hedges, Pulitzer-Prize winner and author of Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt "Nader goes beyond delineating the problem and provides a critical prescription to battle the toxicity of unjust power--one that every individual can, and must, embrace."--Nomi Prins, author, All the Presidents' Bankers "People are recognizing that our founding, fundamental values of fairness, justice, and opportunity for all--the very values that define our America--are being shoved aside to create an un-America of plutocracy and autocracy. Ralph Nader's new book Breaking Through Power provides progressive boat-rockers with inspiration and a plan for reclaiming America from the greedy Plutocrats and Fat Cats who think democracy is for sale to the highest bidder."--Jim Hightower "I read Ralph Nader for the same reasons that I read Tom Paine. He knows what he thinks, says what he means, and his courage is a lesson for us all."--Lewis Lapham "Nader insists on speaking up for the little people and backs his arguments and decent sentiments with hard facts."--Publishers Weekly About Ralph Nader: Named by The Atlantic as one of the hundred most influential figures in American history, and by Time and Life magazines as one of the most influential Americans of the twentieth century, Ralph Nader has helped us drive safer cars, eat healthier food, breathe better air, drink cleaner water, and work in safer environments for more than four decades. Nader's recent books include Animal Envy, Unstoppable, The Good Fight, and the bestseller, Seventeen Traditions. Nader writes a syndicated column, has his own radio show, and gives lectures and interviews year round.

In his latest eye-opening exploration, political maverick Ralph Nader dissects the astonishing twists and turns of the 2020 presidential election, a race that left the nation on the edge of its seat. Although Joe Biden clinched victory with a substantial popular vote lead, Nader unveils the precarious nature of the outcome, where a mere 100,000 votes in key swing states could have catapulted Donald Trump back to the presidency. In Let's Start the Revolution Nader asks: How did the Democrats, despite winning the 2020 election, find themselves teetering on the edge of defeat? The answers, he finds, lie in the Democratic Party's gradual decline into decrepitude—a self-isolation from blue-collar America, an unhealthy fixation on corporate funding, and an alarming aversion to introspection. Nader argues that the Democrats' abandonment of their base and failure to address critical issues allowed the Republicans to solidify their hold on key states. Let's Start the Revolution exposes the insular nature of the Democratic Party apparatus, adept at fundraising but detached from the grassroots movements that truly define the political landscape. Nader argues that the focus on dollars over principles has eroded the authenticity of the Democratic Party's rhetoric on workers, consumers, and children. Drawing on historical parallels and real-life examples, Nader unearths the pitfalls of relying on political and media consultants who prioritize corporate interests over the needs of the people, isolating candidates from progressive citizen organizations and obstructing crucial, campaign-winning agendas. As Nader dissects the Democratic Party's stagnation, he offers a compelling narrative on its post-2010 decline, exploring the devastating impact of gerrymandering and the loss of over 1000 state legislative seats. The book highlights the party's inability to connect with voters, missing opportunities for meaningful engagement, and perpetuating a cycle of defeat. The Democrats have written off competing in half the country and have ceased to be a true national party. Let's Start the Revolution is not just a critique but a call to action. Nader advocates for a genuine relationship between the Democratic Party and the everyday lives of the people it seeks to represent. Based on his deep understanding of the necessities, anxieties, and dreams of millions of families, Nader charts a path forward—a path that prioritizes authenticity, community engagement, and a relentless pursuit of the common good. In a political landscape marred by a "divide and rule" polarization emanating from the power struggle between the major parties, this book serves as a vital roadmap for revitalizing democracy, empowering all citizens, and steering the Democratic Party away from cronyism and complacency. Ralph Nader's latest work is a rallying cry for those who believe in the power of the people to arouse the heart of American democracy.

Ralph Nader has fought for over fifty years on behalf of American citizens against the reckless influence of corporations and their government patrons on our society. In Unstoppable , he ramps up the fight and shows how Left-Right coalitions can prevail over the corporate state and crony capitalism.Nader reveals the many surprising victories won by united progressive and conservative forces throughout history and up to the present. As a participator in, and keen observer of, these budding alliances, he breaks new ground by showing how such coalitions can overcome specific obstacles that divide them, and how they can expand their power.

Ralph Nader's run for the Presidency raises deep questions about the range of political debate in this country and the state of our democracy. "Cutting corporate welfare" has been the chorus Nader has been belting out in his speeches, interviews, and public statements. In fact, critiquing the relationship between big business and the government has been at the heart of Nader's activism since the 1960s. In this pamphlet, based on testimony he delivered before Congress, Ralph Nader describes how corporations are picking our pockets, and what we can do to stop them.

"Ralph Nader is our indispensible voice of outrage against corporate corruption, greed, invasion of privacy, and abuse of power."--James K. Galbraith, author of "Created Unequal: The Crisis in American Pay"Over the last 40 years, Ralph Nader has established himself as this country's most active visionary. In this insightful new collection of his nationally syndicated column, Nader is at his best. Collecting more than 100 articles spanning three decades, "In Pursuit of Justice" addresses corporate abuse; the latent dangers of nuclear energy, water and air pollution, consumer safety; and more, all with Nader's inimitable sense of both his subjects' gravity and citizens' entitlement to a fair lot. Writing with a passion for justice and a piercing awareness of the issues of the day, Nader has been tireless in his pursuit of safer lives for U.S. citizens, leaving no one in this country untouched by his reforms.Remarkably contemporary in its breadth, "In Pursuit of Justice" is an important retrospective highlighting past victories and leading the way toward the coming decade's most consequential social struggles.Author, lawyer and leading consumer advocate Ralph Nader is the award-winning founder of the Public Interest Research Group, the Center for Study of Responive Law, "Public Citizen," the Clean Water Action Project, the Disability Rights Project and the Project for Corporate Responsibility. His 2000 presidental election campaign on the Green Party ticket served to broaden the scope of debate on federal priorities.

"One of the unlikeliest books of last year was "Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us ," a fictional account by Ralph Nader, a veteran left-wing campaigner, of a movement of billionaires led by Warren Buffett . . . who use their fortunes to clean up America. . . . Perhaps the Sage of Omaha, as Mr. Buffett is known, was listening."--The Economist on GivingPledge.org, started by Warren Buffett and the Gates Foundation"Clever, fanciful, thought-provoking."--"The New York Times""Nader poses a genuinely interesting question: in a society ravaged by thirty years of free-market fundamentalism, might it be true that big capitalists can most effectively challenge the reign of capital?"--"London Review of Books"Named by "The Atlantic" as one of the hundred most influential figures in American history, and by "Time" and "Life" magazines as one of the hundred most influential Americans of the twentieth century, Ralph Nader has helped us lead healthier, safer, better lives for more than four decades.

In letters addressed to Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, Ralph Nader provides incisive critiques of more than a decade of American policy decision and indecision. Each letter offers frank advice and shines light on government mishaps and missed opportunities for progress. With his signature dry wit, Nader holds these Presidents to their campaign promises. He also boldly points to the ignoble and sometimes heinous decisions made in pursuit of party platforms and misguided ideals. Covering a range of still-current topics--including the Iraq war, torture, the Crimean annexation, the minimum wage, worker's health legislation, and corporatism--these letters were wholesale ignored on receipt. Here they are reproduced to refute that fate in the spirit of true and healthy democracy. "From the eBook edition."

Ralph Nader's newest work of the imagination, Animal Envy, is a fable about the kinds of intelligences that are all around us in other animals. What would animals tell us--about themselves, about us--if there were a common language among all animal species? A bracingly simple idea, one that has been used before in books like George Orwell's Animal Farm and E. B. White's Charlotte's Web among others, but never like this. In Animal Envy, Ralph Nader proposes, quite plausibly, that a programmer has created a "digital translation" app whereby animals of different species, from insects to whales, can speak to one another, and through a "hyper-advanced converter" these animals can then also speak, both collectively and individually, to humans. It is decided that there will be a global assembly. It will be called "The Great Talkout." Humans are persuaded to reserve 100 hours of network coverage so The Great Talkout may begin and will be viewed by humans everywhere, in all human languages, as well as all animal languages. The narrative that ensues is deeply felt and powerfully informed. Just as he did when he wrote Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us, Nader shows here that his visionary genius knows no limits.

A collection of columns and essays that reveal Ralph Nader at his outspoken and prescient best, fighting the good fight against corporate corruption, unbalanced political power, consumer dangers, big pharma, and climate deniers. Features an introduction by Lewis Lapham. This collection is classic Nader--exhorting us to make our world and nation a better place, even when faced with unchecked political and corporate power, and perverse market and regulatory incentives. He starts with the declaration that the national Democratic Party bureaucrats are either inept or bewildered. With its record-setting campaign fundraising, he bemoans how the Party can't seem to figure out how to go on the offensive against the overtly lying, cruel, corrupt, law-breaking, Wall Street over Main Street, Trumpian Republican Party. In another essay he praises Canada, explaining that the majority of citizens love their health care system--Medicare-for-all, free choice of doctor and hospital, everybody in, nobody out and far less expensive with better outcomes overall. Highlighting heroes like Pete Seeger, Wendell Berry, the journalist Helen Thomas, Nader also celebrates citizens like the lesser-known charismatic George S. Hawkins, general manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority who brought immense energy, vision, and ambitious, overdue plans to the forefront for American's public drinking water. Meanwhile, he doesn't shy away from enemies--for example Nader slams the evils of Big Pharma's strength and hold over Congress and infinite greed. Nader also brings American history to the present day with creative twists. "We need to remember Ben Franklin, our frugal forebear, who coined the phrase 'a penny saved is a penny earned, '" he writes. "Today he would say 'a trillion BTUs saved is a trillion BTUs earned.'" Ranging from hernia repair to auto safety reports and warnings about lethal super-bugs and global pandemics from 2013, Nader's essays and newspaper columns will inform and activate his legions of fans.

When a reporter breaks the news that "Rats have invaded the toilet bowls" of the halls of Congress, it sparks a national frenzy. Activists see the rats upending "business as usual," and turn the invasion into a symbol against the lobbyists who hold Congress in their sway. A massive citizen uprising follows, which threatens to sweep Congress clean of Wall Street's chokehold of corruption -- but the corporate titans have ways of fighting back Gleefully and generously illustrated by famed political cartoonist Mr. Fish, and more than just a story, this is a "how to" guide to effect political change -- from a pied piper who's done it time and time again.

One of corporate America's greatest foes shows how 12 CEOs he has known uniquely rejected narrow yardsticks of shareholder value by leading companies to larger models of prosperity and justice Over the course of 7 decades Ralph Nader has been Corporate America's fiercest critic. Supreme Court Justice William Powell singled out Nader in his infamous memo as the "single most effective antagonist of American business... the] target of his hatred... is corporate power." But now, in a book that will surprise both his fans and critics, Nader profiles a small group of CEOS who he believes performed extraordinarily well as business leaders and civic reformers, some well-known, some not, who should be celebrated as exceptions whose life and career should be a course of emulation and inspiration for students of business, executives and the wider citizenry. This select group of mavericks and iconoclasts -- which includes The Body Shop's Anita Roddick, Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard, Vanguard's John Bogle and Busboys and Poets' Andy Shallal --give us, Nader writes, "a sense of what might have been and what still could be if business were rigorously framed as a process that was not only about making money and selling things but improving our social and natural world."