Posts by matthew
Jimmy Carter Was My Last President
Jimmy Carter was my last president. I believe that is true for progressive civic groups, too. He actively opened up the federal government to engagement and participation from long politically excluded American activists. When he was campaigning in 1976, he would say that he wanted to be more of a consumer advocate than I am, that he would take seriously…
Read MoreRalph Nader Statement on Jimmy Carter’s Legacy
December 30, 2024 Jimmy Carter was the last president to actively open the government for engagement by citizen groups. Right after his November 1976 election, he agreed to address a huge hotel ballroom in D.C. full of local and national citizen advocates. It was a great success never again repeated by succeeding president-elects. Mr. Carter…
Read MoreYour generosity matters to these groups
Holiday greetings. Time for special generosity. These are the very worthy, effective, honest groups–all 501(c)(3)s–that I have contributed to over the years. You may wish to do the same to those that you think are of particular interest for your sense of justice, health and safety. You can check out their websites. Alternative Radio: alternativeradio.org…
Read MoreNeed for Anticipatory Strategies for Oncoming Trumpism
By Ralph Nader December 13, 2024 Now is the time to prepare anticipatory strategies against what the vengeful, avaricious, lawless Trump and his Trumpsters have boasted out loud about daily. Don’t wait until Trump’s inauguration. A short list of suggestions follows: The civil servants and their unions better organize a personal presentation to their new…
Read MoreReaders Think and Thinkers Read—Book Recommendations for Holiday 2024
After years of selecting authors of excellent non-fiction books for public attention and action, I want to interest readers in a selection of my books that have stood the test of time. I believe that a box of books is better than “a box of chocolates.” These books make good gifts for young and older,…
Read MoreLetter to AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins
October 14, 2024 Jo Ann Jenkins CEO AARP 601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 Dear CEO Jo Ann Jenkins, It is long overdue for AARP to take an introspective look at itself. I suggest this institutional self-appraisal as a long-time observer and user of AARP offerings. Years ago, I was invited to speak twice…
Read MoreGreater Energy Levels by GOP Produce Victories Over Democrats
By Ralph Nader November 27, 2024 Over thirty years ago, Republican historian and political analyst, Kevin Phillips, remarked that the “Republicans go for the jugular while the Democrats go for the capillaries.” This serious disparity in political energy levels is rarely taken into account to explain election turnouts. The voluntary enfeebling of the Democratic Party…
Read MoreWeakened by its Past Cowardliness, the Democratic Party Still Can Adopt Winning Agendas
November 1, 2024 By Ralph Nader Over the years, the Democratic Party’s blunders, arrogance and dependence on commercial campaign money and corporate-conflicted political/media consultants have put the two-party duopoly races for the Presidency, the Senate and the House next week into razor-thin elections. The polls show Democrats in neck-and-neck races with the worst GOP since…
Read MoreStatement by Ralph Nader For the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1974 FOIA Amendments
George Washington University November 1, 2024 Thank you all for organizing this important 50th anniversary event for the Freedom of Information Act of 1974. I was there years before and at the creation of this legislation that recognizes that information is the currency of democracy. I want to share briefly a description of the effort…
Read MoreTo Chamber of Commerce Trumpers – Watch What You Wish For
October 25, 2024 By Ralph Nader Open Letter to President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Dear President Clark, The Chamber has come a long way without my advice. However, perhaps, you will indulge my curiosity over the majority of your members supporting Donald Trump for President. There are few…
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