The Good Fight : Declare Your Independence and Close the Democracy Gap

Rating:
Summary: The egomaniac is at it again
Review: After reading through this latest offering from Mr. Nader, I am amazed how far a once great man has fallen---thanks to his own delusions of grandeur. At one time I had liked his ideas, but sensed a stench of removal during the infamous 2000 elections.

At least with this title he is no longer pretending he had a deep loyalty to the Green Party (who are really nice people) and is only interested in marketing himself. All of the genuinely laudable career achievements like seatbelt laws are diminished under the weight of personal screed. Despite obvious evidence to the contrary, he maintains there are no differences between the Democratic and the Republican Parties----and his independent candidacy is the only pure alternative.

The problem is that this aforementioned process is not (and never was) social justice. Precisely because of his own historical notoriety, Mr. Nader envisions fair wages, reproductive choice, and GLBT rights as abstract policy issues---while the rest of us are currently working in the trenches for these very causes with relative obscurity and poverty.

Nader's rhetoric curiously apes the same actions undertaken by the Republican Party under the homeland security mantra. To reach his point, Nader had to openly ignore significant policy research on the Bush administration and relatively recent news releases because Bush allegedly stands against everything he has worked for---and has made no secret about the ideological allegiances.

The superficial courting of the Log Cabin Republicans, which had occurred during the 2000 campaign season, has openly been replaced by strengthened alliances with the social conservatives who are uncomfortable with GLBT rights. While I also marvel at LCR's naiveté, surely Nader realizes (in his own oft-invoked conscience) that who is elected president does make a big difference for public policy---and the fate of the nation.

Because a party is not carrying him this time, Nader (if somehow elected) would have an even more difficult time getting anything he wanted passed into law-while stopping opposed policies. Legislators of different parties and/or ideologies would easily be able to summon enough votes against a chief executive who was that disdainful of the process. For a one-time political insider, this environment would be especially disastrous because he would have nothing to show the very few lingering supporters. Finally, this gridlock would be largely grassroots (instead of ideology or interest-driven) in the ultimate irony.

I also don't think this book did enough to address voter fraud and discrepancies existing in the United States electoral system. Having a serious discussion about democracy when people are unable to experience it in their own communities is irresponsible. In a globalized publishing market, ideas within this book must also ring hollow for the Iraqi people whose country is being colonized under fabricated evidence.

The best way to close the Democracy gap is to recognize Nader is now only interested in electing the most radical of Republicans---and actually does not care what communities are disenfranchised in the process

Rating:
Summary: Nader is opening up the political conversation
Review: Anyone whose intuition is telling them that "things aren't quite right" in the governence of our democracy, I totally recommend this read. The Democrats like to project their party as the Party of the People, but my own experience is that doesn't jive anymore, but I couldn't put it into words. Nader's book was quite helpful in beginning to see that the Democrats & Republicans are more concerned with winning and maintaining power than addressing the pressing needs of the country. I found myself sad at certain passages, realizing that we Americans are losing our capacity for self-governence, and the political class is quite willing to hurt average folks if it means re-election for them and $$ for their corporate friends. Nader's book, as well as his campaign, is shedding light on some ugly facts about our two-party system. After reading the book, I find current news events more alarming, especially how the Democrats are subverting democracy by keeping him off the ballot and away from the voters. Republicans, in a public display of inconfidence in Pres Bush, are also guilty of gaming the ballot access laws. Both parties refuse to acknowledge that their are 10s of millions of Independents and non-voters who no longer support them or their practices. The most alarming realization is this: The Democrats & Republicans are failing the American people in huge ways and causing a lot of human pain, and yet they will not yield to any grassroots solutions. Nader is quite eloquent on this point: any solution to the Nation's problems outside of the two-party framework will *not* be considered. It dawned on me how limited our options have become if we continue to invest all our energy in participating in this endless two-party fight. Nader is doing what he's always done best -- expose the oppressors of average people by fighting the good fight. For all the crap he's taking from the "anybody but Bush crowd", he has the high road in this debate -- he's mostly right. After reading his book and his website, I admire his courage for sticking to his principles and truly defending democracy and, along with that, the interests of the American people.

Rating:
Summary: Our Good Fight
Review: I expected this to be a book about HIS 'good fight' and was somewhat surprised that it was his challenge to ME. To me to be a good citizen and put up a good fight - a fight for justice, fairness, open debates, free elections for third parties...maybe with instant runoff voting. Most candidates are always saying vote for me, vote for me ... but he doesn't do that. This isn't a one-campaign book.

I have been active in civic affairs before but not with his perspective. The book gave me much to think about.

One thing I wish he had spoken about is how his theme song "If You Gotta Ask" got written and what his connection is with Liquid Blue but he seldom talks much about himself. ("Man, if you gotta ask you'll never know." -- Louis Armstrong) Nader certainly has the best theme song of the campaign. I purchased the album "Super Nova" a few months ago and would recommend it. Lyrics and samples are at

http://www.liquid-blue.com

I'm eagerly waiting for Nader's book "In Pursuit of Justice" due out soon.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring....I highly recommend it!!
Review: I had heard of Mr. Nader in 2000 and did not do much research on him, his name came up this year also so I decided to buy this book a couple of weeks ago to see what he is all about.

I was blown away. This guy is an actual "public servant" in the sense of the word. He fought with GE to make cars safer which saved numerous lives, he founded 100 civic organizations (to help out the American people), and he devoted/devotes his life to help Americans.

Have you ever wondered or felt frustrated that no matter how much money you make, it is not enough or you just don't feel peace? Well this is a great book for you. This book will inspire you about how to make America an excellent place.

Think of Erin Brokovich and how she helped out people who were being abused by PG&E, Nader is the same type of person, except he has helped thousands or even millions of people.

Does anybody feel like our senators, congressman, president, etc. are our employees? Probably not, you probably feel like you are their employees even though you pay their tax dollars and elect them to represent you to act in their interests. Wouldn't it be nice to elect people who actually care and listen to you - make you their number one priority? - I really get that kind of feeling from Mr. Nader.

- Finally a quote from the book - you may think you won't make a difference but each of us is like a few drops of water and if all the water combines it makes a great river.


Rating:
Summary: Nader continues his descent into the abyss
Review: I've always admired Ralph Nader, but in recent months I can't help but think something is deeply, truly wrong. Attacking Moore, the Greens, the CBC... who's left? Who is he still friends with?

He knows this is probably the last time he'll be running, and I suppose wants to go out in a blaze of incoherence.

Enter this book, a strange tabletop game far removed from reality, a plan for action in the Bizzaro World that exists only in Nader's fevered brain.

I hope someone close to him ends up writing a book about his strange slide into irrelevancy, it would make for more interesting reading and possibly serve as a warning.



Rating:
Summary: Truly Brilliant
Review: Once again Ralph Nader steps up to the plate that few others will approach. In "The Good Fight" Nader again challenges the status quo, voter apathy, and citizens who have forgotten that THEY run the USA, not corporate interests. As with his previous books, Nader presents an unnerving mix of dispair and hope. He awakens the reader with the progressive view of the problems with America. Such claims of corporate corruption of politics, disregard for human rights, dwindling consumer rights, a failed health care system, and wanton destruction of the environment assail the reader and provoke a sense of hopelessness. But then just as quickly, Nader offers insight, strategy, encouragement, and hope to turn things around and put the PEOPLE back in DEMOCRACY.

Neither a Republican nor a Democrat (difficult for some people to comprehend), Nader points out the shortcomings of both parties and how they have both surrendered to corporate interests. Corporations donate millions of dollars to candidates. Upon election the candidates subsequently act in the interest of their corporate donors, not in the interest of thier constituency. Corporations with no allegiance to the USA then expand their rights, while all-too-often weakening the rights of the people. With so many people obsessed with hot-button issues, they fail to see this undermining of democracy at a fundamental level.

"We are a nation of, by, and for the people, not corporations."

Regardless of your partisanship, I recommend this book as a superb eye-opener. If it fails to provoke constructive thought, clear your mind of political bias and read it again. Since completing this book (as well as previous Nader books) I have passed it on to friends and family across the political spectrum. All have agreed that at the very least, it will make you think twice about what you think you know.

Rating:
Summary: Nader's visual problem
Review: Ralph Nader has exactly the same visual problem as George Bush; he sees everything in terms of black and white and is unable, or at least unwilling, to distinguish between different shades of grey.

This blindness is what is causing him to destroy his legacy by becoming an agent for Karl Rove in sabotaging the campaigns of Al Gore and now John Kerry.

Naderites can spin the 2000 election any way they want, but the undisputable fact is that if Nader had stayed out of the election Al Gore would have won Florida unambiguosly, Gore would be President, we would not be in Iraq, and all those people, U.S. troops and Iraqis, would not have been killed and injured.



Rating:
Summary: Nader, (Still) The Bestower Of Knowledge And Truth
Review: Ralph Nader, the personification of social justice in America, is a learned man with an encyclopedic knowledge of what is going on in the America of today. His decades of service to an ungrateful nation translate into a book packed with a litany of wrongs transpiring day-in and day-out in America.
The Good Fight, Nader points out, just happens to coincide with his candidacy for the US presidency. As such, the book avoids overt political campaigning either pro or con - the book's sub-title notwithstanding - and focuses on listing, detailing and offering solutions for the endless catalogue of what ails America. The book urges civil action, education and participation in response to the predicaments facing the USA in every respect. Be it foreign policy, safety concerns, food or drugs, schooling and science, voracious corporate greed or the media Nader points to the problem and offers a congruent solution in an easy-to-read (hint hint, middle America) and concise manner.
In the corporatist race to the bottom The Good Fight fingers politicians and big business as the betrayers of the American ideal and the media as the happy-go-lucky accomplices to the treason.
Will Americans strain away from their TV sets long enough to listen and regain mastery of their nation? Probably not, for after all this is the exact same deluded citizenry that needs Nader, but frankly deserves Bush.


Rating:
Summary: Corporations Are Bad Except When They Help
Review: Ralph, you hypocrite. Blast corporations then seek them out when it's time to publish a book and make some dough off those corporations. Come on, Ralph! Publish an e-book, save the trees, stay away from the corporations. Have a little self-respect. Sheesh!

Rating:
Summary: Nader with his arms tied behind his back.
Review: This was a pretty good read, however somewhat dissapointing. It is standard arguments against the party duopoly. However, Nader does not stick it to the Democrats enough. They are a big part of the problem as well, and I feel that he may be holding back because of the complaints coming from that side.
If Nader gave it to eveyone equally it would make for a much better book. Being that this is my first real experience with Nader's work I wished I would get more. However, it does serve to demonstrate most of his major arguments and criticisms regarding our corporate government.