Ralph Nader, A Dreamer At The White House

Ralph Nader, A Dreamer At
The White House

By Bianca Cerri

18 June, 2004
Zabrinski Point

Mr. Nader, for about 40 years now, you strived to abolish both
child and adult poverty in the United States. Is it correct to say that
the poverty rate is growing?.

As the wealthiest country in the world, with high productivity per
capita, a country that produces an abundance of capital, credit,
technology and food, we can end poverty. Yet, according to the Bureau of
the Census poverty and hunger for children and adults is increasing
rather than decreasing - 34.6 million Americans lived in deep poverty,
12.1% of the U.S. population. Many millions of Americans live in what is
called "near poverty" by the Labor Department.

In Europe, we often hear alarming news about Bush and Cheney
going far beyond the Constitutional bonds. For Europeans, America used to be the land of freedoms but we have the impression now that, after the Patriot Act, things have changed very much: are we too pessimistic?.

Civil liberties and due process of law are eroding due to the "war on
terrorism" and new technology that allows easy invasion of privacy.
Americans of Arab descent and Muslim-Americans are feeling the brunt of
these dragnet, arbitrary practices. We need to restore civil liberties,
repeal of the Patriot Act, and an end to secret detentions, arrests
without charges, no access to attorneys and the use of secret
"evidence," military tribunals for civilians, non-combatant status and
the shredding of "probable cause" determinations. They represent a
perilous diminishment of judicial authority in favor of concentrated
power in the executive branch. Sloppy law enforcement, dragnet practices
are wasteful and reduce the likelihood of apprehending violent
criminals. We should expand civil liberties to include basic human
rights in employment and truly equal rights regardless of gender, sexual
orientation, race or religion.

Some time ago, you have met Mr. John Kerry, a gentleman under all
points of view. Still, John Kerry has never taken a stand against the war in Iraq and he approves the Patriot Act, so what basic differences are there between Kerry and Bush?.

There are more similarities than differences. The areas where there
seem to be differences are on social issues -- also known as the
cultural issues.

The majority of Italians, French and Germans did not welcome
George Bush's visit to their Countries just a few days ago and accused him of violating the International Treaties on Human Rights.
What do Americans feel about having a man at the White House that has done nothing but draw shame on their Country?.

This is a concern I have expressed directly to President Bush. Below is
a letter I sent him outlining my concerns. More and more Americans are
recognizing the limits of his leadership and how it is doing great harm
to the United States, and the world.

Mr. Nader: for many years you have opposed the domination of big
corporations on the political scene.Are you also against the very powerful Military Industry and what is your opinion about the situation in Iraq and the torturesinflicted to the prisoners?.

I have always opposed any kind of War Industry.

45 millions of Americans are today left out of the Health Care
system in the United States.If you were elected President, would you work for a reform of HealthPrograms?

This would be a priority. I support a single payer system. My health
care plan will be put on the web later this week.

Many consider you an intellectual and we know that intellectuals
often live in a privileged world and do no communicate with the masses: world and do no communicate with the masses: do you see yourself as an intellectual unable to communicate with the citizens?.

Of course not. My compass are the uninsured, unemployed, those working
for less than a living wage and those going to bed hungry at night.

A very last question: all over the European Union, the deathpenalty was abolished and no Country that maintains capital punishment will be accepted in the EU.We are very interested in having your opinion of this: as the president ofthe United States would you work for the abolition of the death penalty?.

I oppose the death penalty because its use is racially unfair, is
applied to the poorest who cannot afford an adequate criminal defense,
does not deter crime, results in innocent people being executed, costs
the state more than life in prison and corrupts the moral status of the
state. I support a moratorium on the death penalty.

Bianca Cerri [email protected]