Ralph Nader
I feel sorry for Ralph Nader. I mean, here's a guy who really has big issues with the corrupt American political system. I think it really bothers him that everyone knows it, but no one does anything about it. It bothers him that in a democracy for and by the people, our two choices will come down to two men and parties controlled by corporate interests and money.

Poor guy.

All the Democrats are upset that he's running and even some of his supporters. "It's his fault," they say, "that Gore didn't win in 2000." They don't get that Nader sees very little difference between Gore and Bush in the core of what they represent. They don't get that Rader doesn't really think that he could be our next President (or would want to be). His running for President is symbolic and a quadrenial podium to draw national attention to the issues.

There are a few things that Nader talks about specifically that I agree with...on the majority of issues I would probably come down far right of his agenda. But for some reason, I can't help but like this guy. I enjoy hearing him interviewed and would love for him to be in on a debate with the other candidates this time around. Maybe it's because--as Stephen said about me yesterday--"Jimmy likes to be a blue boy in a world of red men." I don't know. Maybe.

Maybe its that I see our Christian heritage filled with voices that were minimalized by their culture. Voices that were so strange to the natives that they were either foolish or terribly dangerous. Voices that spoke the truth in ways that either set people free or got the speaker crucified. And maybe that's it. Nader is speaking the truth as he sees it and he doesn't seem to care if he gets crucified--even by his own (former) supporters. I like that.
posted by Jimmy at 9:16 AM | |