Why I'm In the Race
By Ralph Nader
Wednesday, November 1, 2000 ; Page A33
Will those who magnify the dwindling real differences between the Republican and Democratic parties permit some discourse on the major similarities in the parties' behavior that tower over the political landscape? It was the systemic convergence of the two major parties, which is weakening all citizens' groups, that prompted me to run for president on the Green Party ticket.
Both major parties are in a frenzied race to raise tens of millions of dollars from the same business interests that are allowed, in exchange, to dominate our government. Both Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold condemn the corrupt corporate campaign finance system as an "influence peddling scheme." But their parties just keep elaborating the fundraising schemes, refusing to "unilaterally disarm." This cheapens our democracy.
Since both parties' pipers are paid by the same corporate paymasters, they are singing the same tunes. This results in less and less real choice for voters, because the real decision-makers are from the permanent corporate government in Washington.
A recent cover story in Business Week reported that there is too much corporate power in America and asked corporations to "get out of politics" and embrace campaign finance reform. A Business Week poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Americans think corporations have "gained too much power over their lives."
Make a list of departments and agencies, and ask which ones would be appreciably different under Gore or Bush. State Department? Treasury? Defense? Commerce? Agriculture? Justice? The regulatory agencies--such as the Food and Drug Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration--which are as bad now or even worse than under Reagan-Bush? It is the permanent corporate government, with 22,000 corporate lobbyists and 9,000 PACs, that sets the agenda.
To the Democratic cry that a Republican-controlled Congress is the villain, I reply that the Democratic Party, having abandoned its historical identity, has become very good at electing very bad Republicans who won control of Congress in three successive elections.
No longer can the people rely on the Democratic Party even to protect them from a Republican extremist takeover, because the power of big business money moves the Democratic Party closer to the Republicans.
The Democratic and Republican parties have no interest in strengthening the political and civic energies of citizens to defend themselves and share their country's future. It is increasingly difficult for voters, workers, taxpayers and consumers to counter cash-register politics, the World Trade Organization, union-obstructing labor laws, corporate subsidies and giveaways, and HMO abuses.
They are up against a civic powerlessness that has led to the neglect of mass poverty, racism, non-living wages, toxic pollutants, a dearth of public infrastructure investments, a bloated, corporate-driven military budget and a demoralized citizenry. With people losing control year after year, the differences that do exist within this two-party duopoly move within very constrictive cages in Washington.
Our campaign is one of principle and idealism, fueled by a knowledge that our country applies more solutions when it has more democracy. The fears of frightened liberals about new political parties come from a repressed estimation of their own abilities to confront tough odds--a far cry from the steel of the civil rights movement.
An organized political reform movement can achieve lasting changes after the election when a Green Party watchdog, backed by millions of voters and closely connected with the civil societies, will send this message to the Republicrats: Start shaping up for the American people or your numbers will shrink further in future elections.
The writer is the Green Party's candidate for president.
© 2000 The Washington Post
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