Presidential hopeful Ralph Nader spoke in front of nearly 200 people last night at Benson Polytechnic High School about his plans for the future of the United States, what freedom truly means and that said citizens must demand change from the current administration.
Nader said he is running to be the next president of the United States because he feels and knows there are no other politicians currently running who will openly speak the whole truth.
“The final words of our pledge of allegiance says there is liberty and justice for all,” Nader said. “Every candidate running has forgotten those words. Not for some or many, but liberty and justice for all.”
While Nader touched on ending corporate crime and a complete removal of U.S. troops from Iraq, many of Nader’s supporters focused on those proposals.
“He is one of the few people telling the truth,” said Debra Orton of Portland. “He is certainly not the most popular, but I support him for his views and beliefs about ending corporate takeover. The other candidate seems to be just going with the flow.”
Nader, who has run for president twice before, announced his candidacy in February. Rather than focusing on his specific plans for his campaign for the presidency, Nader talked primarily on a philosophical and motivational level.
Nader said freedom is a word that has lost credibility. At the rally, Nader proposed two things that must be a part of our daily lives in order to return the power to the people.
“First we must have shame,” Nader said. “Shame on us today. Shame is a great motivator if you let it infiltrate your mind and conscience.”
According to Nader, showing up and using word of mouth is the second action that must be taken to restore power to the commonwealth.
“Showing up and talking to neighbors, friends and politicians about the issues you care about is the only way we will defeat the corporations who run our country,” Nader said. “Word of mouth is the most effective form of communication.”
For the few hundred who attended the rally, many felt that a vote for Nader provides an opportunity to vote for your conscience.
“If you’re unhappy with a political party, the only way to prove your point sometimes is to not vote for the obvious choice,” said 23-year-old Matt Stevens. “Your vote is your vote. Don’t let anyone destroy your ideals.”
Nader, who is running with San Francisco-based lawyer and activist Matt Gonzalez, said people must demand and define their needs, and must not back down in the face of tyranny and corporate bullying.
“The government controls the wealth of our nation’s commonwealth,” Nader said. “This must be reversed. We need to become our own nation’s landlords. We must decide who says what and who does what.”
While Nader was in town to speak about his campaign for president, there was an overwhelming focus on self-motivation. Nader spoke more about what the people can do together to realign the country, than his political platform.
“Don’t let politicians inflate your head by saying that the United States is the greatest country in the world,” Nader said. “They are the ones who have discredited our country.”
Before leaving the podium, Nader offered his last words of advice, saying that pursuing justice is “fun”-the great American way.
“Don’t let justice become a chore,” Nader said. “Justice is a blessing and requires great work, but it’s there and we can have it again. Freedom is participation and power.”