Ralph Nader

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Oh Nader.

Ralph Nader (1934-) is a consumer advocate, lawyer, author, lecturer and activist, who has also run for President of the United States four five times.

Contents

[edit] Consumer advocate

Nader campaigned tirelessly for decades for safer cars, safer food, environmental concerns, consumer rights in general, and a litany of things which we now take for granted.

These are some of the things Nader, with his "Nader's Raiders," has had an important role in getting passed:

  1. Freedom of Information Act (1966)
  2. National Automobile and Highway Traffic Safety Act (1966)
  3. Wholesome Meat Act (1967)
  4. Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act (1968)
  5. Clean Water Act (1968)
  6. Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act (1969)
  7. Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970)
  8. Law establishing Environmental Protection Agency (1970)
  9. Clean Air Act (1970)
  10. Safe Water Drinking Act (1974)
  11. Mine Health and Safety Act (1977)
  12. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (1977)
  13. Co-op Bank Bill (1978)
  14. Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)[1]

Also:

  1. Nuclear power safety
  2. Consumer credit disclosure law
  3. Medical devices safety
  4. Mobile home safety
  5. Pension protection law
  6. Seat belt laws
  7. Passive restraint laws
  8. Remuneration of airline tickets when flights are bumped
  9. Precedent on invasion of privacy lawsuits[1]

[edit] Political forays

Nader has attempted to leverage his well-known work as a consumer advocate into a political career. However, his insights and energy from this arena have not translated well into political acumen, or success. Although Nader in his various bids for presidency has done exceptionally well for a third party, getting nearly 3% of the total vote, he has been criticized for spending too much energy distancing himself from Democratic candidates, and not enough on his Republican opponents, causing a division in the liberal vote.

Ralph Nader is infamous for being blamed for costing Gore the 2000 Presidential race, especially in Florida, and leaving the American people with eight years of horse feces. Furthermore, other states such as New Hampshire had Bush victories by very small margins, indicating that had Nader not run, Gore would have been able to make up for possible voter fraud in Florida. It is usually countered that had Gore taken his home state of Tennessee, he would have easily won. Other factors in the election included Bill Clinton's impeachment scandal, which forced Gore to distance himself from the popular incumbent president.

Nader announced on 24 February 2008 that he was once again a candidate for the office of President of the United States, much to the confusion, alarm, and chagrin of the Democratic Party and its supporters. He did not win. Nader is two years older than John McCain. Either would have been older upon taking office than was Ronald Reagan.

In February 2012, Ralph Nader chose not to run, instead endorsing former Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson,[2] and also praising right-wing candidate Ron Paul because they share an opposition to aggressive foreign policy.[3]

[edit] Publications

Among many, many, others:

  • Unsafe at Any Speed - This book resulted in GM ending production of the Chevrolet Corvair for the American road, much to the dismay of enthusiasts who didn't mind a little carbon monoxide with their thrills.

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 An Unreasonable Man (documentary on Ralph Nader), 2005 [1] at 36:00
  2. Oregonlive.com: Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson will get on presidential ballot in Oregon; receives Ralph Nader's backing
  3. http://www.politicususa.com/ralph-nader-endorses-ron-paul/
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