23 Comments

The wisdom of RN and CH sadly only reaches a small number of people - by design. Just like there are two political parties in the US that do not represent the majority of its citizenry but the corporate masters - by design.

Expand full comment

Very interesting. I’m a big fan of your work, Chris, but Ralph makes a telling point here. The language of despair needs to give way to the language of action.

Expand full comment

Sad picture, but Nader's diagnosis must but correct. And, by the way admirably right minded. We are rotting up our governance in UK, same 2 parties picture, can't get a postage stamp between them for policies.

I often wonder where the US would be had they had Nader as their leader.

Thank you for your work and what you stand for both. Chris your book 'Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt' must be the book of the decade. Respect

Dr Jo Stanley East Anglia

Expand full comment

Two of the most principled people in journalism (and journalism adjacent) in the country.

Expand full comment

I'm sorry, but Ralph Nader is a relic. Time after time, it has been scientifically proven that electoral politics is ineffective.

Expand full comment

Thank you. Always the voice of reason.

Expand full comment

There must be a step before Nader's strategy of a ground game comes into play. The performances of AOC and the rest of the fraud squad now means that no thinking citizen can possibly trust any person running for the dims to follow through on their pre-election promises. So before any mobilisation of the citizenry can occur at least one human focused democrat must stand up to the corporate dims and force the party to follow up on some of its promises. The fact that they have lost control of the house makes that much harder, but if just one of these current members made enough fuss over social security or medicare that others have to follow, would put pressure on rethug congress persons especially those in marginal districts with large numbers of older voters, to support the bill as well.

Until an existing dim politician actually does that the chances of getting a mass movement from the people is nil. Too many dims have made promises that they haven't even tried to keep for citizens to believe that the dim party machine won't grind down any of their congresspeople into dust if they buck the corporate program.

Many people would love to get up and get things moving again but without a strong demonstration of support from some actual sitting member and not just one seeking election for the first time, nobody in their right mind could possibly advise wasting energy on what has been thus far an entirely fruitless effort.

Expand full comment

I think Ralph is correct, even with all the corruption and bribery. If enough people voted, actually did vote and worked for elections the one on one way, we might have a chance; there ARE MORE OF US. The cases of Kucinich and Bernie are very troubling though. It’s more than money; it’s about survival. I know it’s possible but I don’t have a lot of hope.

Expand full comment

I’m with John Ressler. Add Noam and Cornel and you have all you need to change or should I say, at this point, save the world. There are no other four people walking this earth, that I have more love and respect for then these for men.

Expand full comment

Thank you -- Rinse and repeat....

Anti-China Protests in Thailand: Who is Behind them & Why? Searching for Asia's "Zelensky"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGTD6308loY – Nov. 22, 2022 – “Rinse and Repeat”

Expand full comment

Nader says "We need people talking to one another...". Has Nader noticed which political party has aggressively pushed the "mask mandates" that discourage people from talking to each other? Has it occurred to him that the real purpose of the "6 feet of social distance" is to make it uncomfortable/inconvenient for people to talk to each other?

It's sad to hear someone who was once a Warrior for Democracy now talk affirmatively about ways to keep Donald Trump from being able to compete.

Expand full comment

Its disappointing how many of our thought leaders entirely neglect the Covid factor. With FTX collapse we learned they were behind the suppression of effective early treatments available in 2020 which would nullify all the EUAs for vax etc. Brought many of us together to push back against the experimental “vaccine” regardless of ideology. Sister hospitalized 5 months now since booster & outcome bleak. Deaths will continue sadly.

A Floridian whom sat out the election. BIG MISS by Bernie Sanders to not partner with Sen Ron Johnson to give voice to the vaccine injured and the “second opinion”

Expand full comment

Thank you for your reply. My best wishes for your sister's recovery. I'm glad that Sen. Johnson won his re-election bid even though it means that he broke his promise to retire after two terms. I no longer expect Bernie Sanders to actually do anything, except bluster.

For Ralph Nader not to advocate that Democrats promote their ideas, or run on their past record of achievements, but rather that they should find ways to eliminate the competition (Trump) is a bleak commentary on the state of US politics.

Expand full comment

Thank you Chris for this interview. As an active Member of the League of Women Voters (Milwaukee County WI) I was glad to hear Nader talk about the power of the vote as well as his points about the importance of being involved at the local and state levels.

Expand full comment

I'd really like to believe that Mr. Nader is right. But sadly, it's not just the media consultants, the the party leadership itself is corrupt. And, ever since St. Ronnie, there are no more Democrats, only salami sliced flavors of Republicans. We all know the Republicans - they are the party of the plutocrats. The Democrats used to lead but not anymore, nowadays the Democrats don't lead; all they do is bleat that they're not as bad a the Republicans.

Expand full comment

Who actually is getting the billions of dollars spent on US elections? Who are these "media consultants" and PR firms riding this gravy train? Are they apolitical?

Expand full comment

I suspect that "media consultants" are the people who tell politicians (Democrats and Republicans) what to say, what promises to make, how to campaign in a way that will get votes without alienating the corporations (e.g. Big Pharma) that own them.

Expand full comment

Basically. Managing public opinion costs money.

Expand full comment

One of the biggest tragedies In the last 70 years, my lifetime, is that Ralph Nader  was denied public office. He was and still is one of the clearest voices amongst this population. Ralph has always been a lightning rod for corporate Wrath. That is well known. His life and career have been a benchmark indicator for the American people demonstrating what happens when you go up against corporate power.💰 That should have been enough to elect him, time and again. I am very thankful that Ralph Nader continues to speak to power and try to make some sense and show a path to the American people. Happy Thanksgiving 🙏👏

Expand full comment

Ralph's innocence is startling and discouraging. He glossed over the facts Chris opened with: the entirety of government being purchased outright. What avenues does he think are available? Does he think the militarized police and all the other secret police forces we now have will sit quietly while we march and vote to take their power away? Does he really believe a handful of "progressives" winning won't just be bought off and become mouthpieces like all the rest have? Truly a disappointment. What a fall from 22 years ago.

Expand full comment