The recent doddering onslaught against Ralph Nader by the Democratic Party is as transparent and laughable as every other vacuous strategy of Gore's ill-fated campaign. As with "the kiss," the "I'm my own man" speech, and Gore's newfound populism, the recent attacks on Nader are another awkward attempt by Gore to deflect blame for his plummeting campaign and personal ineptitude. All political reasoning dictates that Al Gore could and should slam-dunk this election with the power of Shaquille O'Neil, but instead he has bricked the dunk with the cloddishness of Shawn Bradley. The economic prowess of Clinton-Gore, Gore's quasi-incumbency, and the weakest Republican competition since Gerald Ford should have carried Gore into the oval office with ease. However, Al Gore is spineless, heartless, and clumsy - a man with no convictions. Gore is wavering between solid stances on the issues, promising everything and nothing at the same time.
Clinton and Gore have sold the Democratic Party to the Democratic Leadership Council, Trans-national corporations, and special interests. This corporate prostitution and protection of special interests dilutes all of his policy initiatives so much that he is powerless to attract a large portion of his base. It is no surprise that Gore is so devoid of convictions. Al Gore has been groomed for the Presidency since birth. Born an empty glass, Gore has been blended to perfection to become the newest mixed-drink craze sweeping the nation. Throw in a dash of calculated and staged Vietnam service, a hint of tobacco farming, and a shot of southern moderatism. Don't forget to add 1/4 ounce of guns, universal healthcare, and a pro-life formula (then quickly remove and pretend these ingredients were never included), sprinkle in false environmentalism and two dashes of World Trade Organization. Lastly, add in several corporations, lots of soft money, stir to the right with a silver spoon, always avoiding the left side of the glass and you can have your very own Al Gore!
Therefore, when Gore, in the 11th hour so pretentiously claims Nader is spoiling the election for him, he is again trying to cover up his own failure. If Al Gore were half the candidate that Nader is, maybe Ralph could retire from his four decades of relentless public service. However, the silent majority of this country who will not vote this election day and the disillusioned and disgusted voters from the right and left who wish to have Capitol Hill transformed from an exclusive corporate brothel back to a people's democracy need Ralph Nader's voice.
For those that say a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush- consider these words spoken by Ralph Nader at the Fleet Center on Oct. 1, "If, when you elect a Congressperson to office, you expect them to vote straight from their conscious and heart on every issue, then why do you expect less of yourself?" The differences between Gore and Bush are miniscule in comparison to their profoundly disappointing similarities. All voters should vote their conscious, because when you choose between the lesser of two evils, you end up with, in the words of Michael Moore, "the evil of two lessers."
Further, the Supreme Court appointments argument is another transparent scare tactic from the Gore camp. Roe v. Wade will not be overturned simply because the power of the precedent is wholly strong and political litmus tests for Justices is an inexact science. Almost half of Reagan and Bush's appointments, most notably David Souter, are now considerably more liberal than expected. For those who submit to voting for Gore because of the fear of Bush, in order to play a game of Supreme Court cat and mouse or because a vote for Nader is throwing your vote away, I say a vote for Gore is throwing your freedom to choose away. Every vote for Gore is a vote for the status quo, more injustice in politics, and an increased corporate stranglehold over Washington and a No-Access Democracy. In contrast, every vote for Nader contributes substantially to building a grassroots movement in this country that demands social justice, equality, and accessibility in Government. If now is not the right time, then there never will be a right time. Our Democracy is on life support.
Nader speaks up for such logical measures as cutting the exorbitant abyss that is the defense budget and spending a fraction of that $320 billion a year commitment on improving our dilapidated public school system. Nader advocates providing universal health care to all Americans, protecting labor rights to organize, enacting sensible drug laws, and eliminating this country's racist and structurally flawed death penalty. But, most importantly, Ralph will truly protect our environment and our people from insidious corporate domination by strengthening regulations, ending corporate welfare, and dropping America out of the World Trade Organization. Where is Al Gore on these issues?
Consider what a vote for Gore really means. On the international front, a vote for Gore is a vote for more military spending, World Trade Organization monetary control over Washington, free trade prevailing over human rights, and increased corporate globalization. On the domestic front, a vote for Gore supports racist and arbitrary capital punishment, a militarized war on drugs including mandatory incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, an exponential expansion of the Prison Industrial Complex, managed care profits over the needs of 45 million Americans without Healthcare, further monopolization of the pharmaceutical industry, subversion of rights for unions to organize, and continued environmental degradation.
In this world where what used to be called radical thinking is now called insane, what used to be called liberal is now called radical, what used to be called reactionary is now called moderate, and what used to be called insane is now called compassionate conservatism, there is only one choice in the upcoming election. This country needs the voice of the man who has devoted his entire life to protecting the people from the corruption and irresponsibility of a Corporate Government. This country needs Ralph.
Jesse Harlan Alderman is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
