I'm firmly of the opinion that you cannot 'spoil' a vote, or 'steal' a vote simply by running in opposition and stating your issues. I suppose you could by hinting at or agreeing with one audience, and then later changing your mind on that issue.  I suppose you could by hiding key details about previous business dealings that may in the future cause harm to our reputation.  I suppose you could by backing an electronic voting system proven to be easily hacked and compromised.  I guess a mobile team of legal experts filing complaint after complaint in courts across the country to challenge your opponents right to be on the ballot, that could do it.  Convincing the media not to give your opponent air time wouldn't hurt the effort...the stealing of votes that is.  A perpetual whisper into the wind 'He's Crazy' just to tie things up in a neat little package.  Certainly, all good ways to steal votes.  But when you simply put yourself out there, and say it like it is, no splash graphics or multi-million dollar budgets, and millions of people vote for you and not your opponent?  I think that's called your opponent 'Losing Votes'.  Can you imagine, had Mr. Nader been given equal air time and not been blocked from ballots, how many millions of people would have cast their vote for him?  There is a reason he resonates with so many Americans, this summer take the time to learn about Ralph Nader.  You have nothing to lose by listening, and maybe doing a little followup, what you have to gain is priceless, American Pride.

Campaign page outlining Mr. Nader's stance on many issues

Grist's Candidate Information Page

Candidate Quiz by Glassbooth

Quotes on several issues.

2004 stance on issues

A history of Nader on the Issues

I had planned on including a few other candidate quizzes here, only a few include any other names but the D and R candidates. But a strange thing happened on the way to democracy.  Two had taken down all but O and M,  one was questionable because when I took the quiz again just to verify that all was well it wasn't.  I found myself suddenly facing Sen. Obama!

There are key policy issues we disagree on, so there was something hinkey going on.  A quick check finds most of Nader's answers reduced to one or two lines, with most being listed as "decline to answer".  Are we talking about the same Ralph Nader?  First of all, I can't imagine him declining to answer anyone, about anything, much less issue questions related to his own presidential campaign.  Second, even faced with being hard to reach for comment (He's not, give him a call) there are decades and decades of spoken and printed words to draw from for these answers. 

 

Not only that, but check out the world's leader in targeted ads. Again, decades of references behind him, and 2 out of 4 targeted ads based on Ralph Nader pull Obama and DNC results? C'mon.  Well, this is a pretty good illustration of the obstacles facing the Nader/Gonzalez campaign.  I hope you take the time to review what this legendary man has to say, and imagine what he can do for us.

Technorati Tags: Nader,Ralph Nader,politics,election,president,stephanopoulos,obama,grist,glassbooth,google,MSM,media

Or at the very least,  basic methodology and communication problems between data providers and users.  Either way, it seriously calls into question all of the reports and decisions that have utilized the data. Not only those that have been made in the past, but have been made recently regarding our consumption now and in the future.  It's a fishy, fishy situation with incredible coincidental timing, don't you think?   I'll be keeping my eye on it. 

 

   

Hooking Your Toilet to the Kitchen Tap
-Sierra Club

"Atlanta, GA -- In most states, it's illegal to connect your toilet so that it drains through your tap. But on a larger scale, the Bush EPA is prepared to declare that this is, in effect, allowed under the Clean Water Act. At least that's what the agency told a conference of water managers here will be permitted by a new agency rule.

According to a new agency rule, anyone -- an industry, water agency, municipality -- can take dirty water from any body of water, use it (as long as they don't make it dirtier), and then dump it into a clean body of water -- without applying for a Clean Water Act permit. The industry or agency dumping the water can take as much dirty water as it wants, move it as far as it wants, and dump it wherever it wants -- regardless of the impact on the body of water."

Previously I've blogged about the blatant disregard for our environment demonstrated by our Environmental Protection Agency; EPA Missing in Action, and similar in-actions by other Bush Administration agencies; Crossing a Line and Villainous Nominee . Now we can add that the Department of Defense, under criticism during the Bush Administration for contracting out vital military tasks putting into question the nation's security, has Contracted Out Contractor Oversight. The 'Fly in your Face' attitude doesn't stop there, Bush's FCC is now being asked to probe the Bush administration's Propaganda Program! A bit like having inmates of cell block C check cell block D for paraphernalia. Let's not forget the USDA, that decided to shut down a congressional audit and advise it's employee's not to cooperate.
It seems to me there are an awful lot of 'Long Term Plans' being laid last minute by the bought and corrupted officials placed in our agencies by this administration, especially considering his 'New Rule' of 'No New Rules' from agencies after June 1st.

"While the White House called the deadlines "simply good government," some legal specialists said the policy would ensure that rules the administration wanted to be part of Mr. Bush's legacy would be less subject to being overturned by his successor. Moreover, they said, the deadlines could allow the administration to avoid thorny proposals that are likely to come up in the next few months, including environmental and safety rules that have been in the regulatory pipeline for years. "

The Administrations reach has even made it to NASA, where it's interference will not only effect Americans, but the world, and their view of us.

Considering the mounting effort to both impeach and indict Bush and Cheney;

Bush Faces Domestic Lawsuit for Illegal War

Veterans for Peace Call for Impeachment

Congressional Candidate Calls for Impeachment

Nader Calls for Immediate Impeachment

56 in Congress say Investigate Bush

Kucinich Introduces Impeachment Articles against Bush

you'd think someone would have put a stop to the actions being taken, permanent actions, detrimental actions that if implemented for even a short time will have long lasting devastating effects. In light of these slap in your face words and deeds;

Bush Misused Iraq Intelligence

Bush Wants Immunity for Mercenaries in Iraq

And the Topper: Bush Pardons Self from War Crimes

Extraordinary steps must be taken to stop the last minute actions planned by this criminal administration. A precedent needs to be set for not only the top guy, but all the little trickle down guys and gals as well. Education, communication and technology have opened up the world, we need to pay attention to the faces we present and take responsibility for our voting actions.