Ralph Nader for President

Ralph Nader for President
by Marla Rose

November 2, 2000

I don't consider myself politically naive.

I understand the fundamental argument against Ralph Nader. It's been almost impossible to tune out the monotonous "progressive" voices that barrage us with fear-mongering and guilt-tripping tactics to try to goad us into casting a half-hearted vote for their man, Gore.

They invade our e-mail boxes, pleading with us to protect our democracy and all that's sacred by voting not for one candidate, but using our ballot strategically to vote against another one. We overhear them while we wait in line at the grocery store, sighing, "Well, I don't like Gore either, but at least he wouldn't try to overturn Roe V. Wade."

Besides, he's not that bad. Well, okay, maybe he's no one to get too excited about, but at least he's better than that corporate plaything, the anti-environment, pro-WTO, anti-choice, vigorously pro-death penalty daddy's boy doofus from Texas. And, yes, to paraphrase the always-incisive Studs Turkel, it's probably better to have pneumonia than influenza... Should we take that to mean, however, that either is particularly desirable?

Gore's troubles can't be blamed solely on his personality, though he's never instilled a lot of enthusiasm in people, despite having some of the world's most savvy image consultants and stylists on his campaign payroll. Somehow the staunchly anti-charismatic Green party candidate Nader, a man who has taken great pains to strip any luster and slickness from his campaign, has managed to not only sell out arenas across the country, but fill those arenas with passionate and positive supporters. I want to feel that way about the candidate I'm voting for, not like I've just been given the "choice" of whether I'd prefer electric shock treatment or a lobotomy.

I don't blame voters for feeling that way. Gore is pro-WTO, pro-biotechnology, pro-death penalty and is only tepidly supporting a watered down form of campaign finance reform. He was born into political and economic privilege and has vested interest in the oil industry. Interesting... Bush can say the same to all the above.

In my mind, Al Gore is essentially a pro-choice Republican. It's worth noting, though, that when he was a senator, he voted to approve Antonin Scalia to become a Supreme Court justice, a man with a notoriously outspoken right-wing and anti-choice stance. And we're trying to protect the Supreme Court from Bush? Also, if Gore is so fundamentally different from his rival, why hasn't he proven it after eight long years in the White House?

Nader, by comparison, would fiercely protect our natural resources; he wants the government to quit subsidizing wealthy corporations; he believes industry should foot the bill for the pollution and other harm it causes; he's firmly anti-factory farm and anti-biotech; he opposes NAFTA and the WTO; and he supports a living wage and universal health care. Plus, according to a recent profile in the Chicago Tribune, he's a vegetarian.

My message here is simple: don't give in to the cynical, fearful voices who want to maintain the status quo with a decidedly unworthy presidential choice. Vote the way those who fought for our democratic system intended citizens to vote: with your conscience. This is the first time in my history as a voting individual that I can walk into the booth and feel proud and unequivocal about my decision, and I don't take that lightly. I live in a swing state, and I understand the risks. Still, I'm not going to fritter away my vote on a lesser evil, and I urge you to do the same, no matter how you decide to vote.

How dare anyone who considers him or herself a progressive ask you to sell your vote to the less unctuous major party candidate. If the truly revolting George Bush becomes president, the burden of blame should rest squarely on Al Gore's shoulders and that of the Democratic party for not being a viable alternative to the Republicans.

I would much rather give Nader a chance for matching funds in 2004 than cast a vote for someone I don't respect.

I'm voting my conscience.

I'm voting for Nader.

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