Comments on Nader from Chris Wolford

April 20, 2004

In his book, "The Rich and The Super Rich", economist Ferdinand Lundberg stated the Republican and Democratic Parties were two sides of the same coin. In other words, these two parties represent the interests of the small but very affluent sector of our country. The Republicans are at least honest about their class loyalties while the Democrats are as Malcolm X described them as being like the clever fox pretending to be our friend while being no less subservient to wealthy class interests. Now that we have a chance to build momentum for an alternate political path, there is vocal opposition comming from many progressives and liberal Democrats regarding the candidacy of Ralph Nader. This circle the wagons strategy against George Bush blames Nader for the defeat of Al Gore in the 2000 elections. I feel that the Democrats defeated themselves by their own dismal performance on a variety of issues important to many of us. Similar alarmist warnings were sounded when Ronald Reagan was president. The truth is that most of Reagan's programs were advanced by many Democrats in Congress at the time. Although the Reagan Administration tried to get NAFTA legislation through Congress, it took the Clinton Administration less effort to get NAFTA passed with a lot of help from other Democrats, including John Kerry. The Clinton Administration also made a valient effort to subvert the independence of the progressive Pacifica Radio Network. Most of Kerry's platform is rhetoric that changes to suit the situation. At least we know where Nader stands on the important issues as he has advocated for us these many years. We are faced with a similar situation on the state level as well. When I was active in the West Virginia State Employees Union, we attempted to lobby for legislation favorable to state workers such as collective bargaining, workplace health and safety enforcement and grievance reform. Many legislators took a hard anti-labor stand like Senator Joe Manchin, with his support for right-to-work, told us he opposed collective bargaining and presented us with a list of benifits received by state workers without listening to our concerns. When the labor rank and file thought we had a champion in Charlotte Pritt, we were sold out by the misplaced loyalties of our labor leadership that supported Caperton's re-election for the empty promise of a "Blue Ribbon Pannel". Charlotte's second run for governor was no less difficult for her. Remember Lloyd Jackson and the Democrats for Underwood? And the issue of Mountaintop Removal has simply continued from the Underwood Administration to the Wise Administration. I think its time to stop playing the revolving political shell game on the national and state levels. I support Ralph Nader for President and our Mountain Party candidates. We have a party to build. 

Sincerely, 
Chris Wolford