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Tag(s): Berkeley; Berkeley; Corporate Contributions; Corporate Corruption Crime; Democracy; Fascism; Fascism-Cant Happen Here; Nader-Ralph; Politics
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May 14, 2008 at 07:35:13

Promoted to column top on 5/14/08:
Nader calls U. S. "corporate fascism"

by Jonathan Nack Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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OAKLAND - Independent candidate for President Ralph Nader described the current government and economic system of the United States as "corporate fascism" at a campaign event held in Berkeley on May 12.

"We're living in a country whose democracy is beyond the breaking point. The extent of corporate control has developed into corporate fascism," declared Nader.

"We don't have a capitalist economic system - it's corporate fascism. Every major tenet of capitalism is violated by corporate power," said Nader. Only small businesses still practice capitalism, according to Nader.

Nader explained that major corporations buy politicians and write the laws through their lobbyists, thus owning the Capitol. They receive billions in government subsidies and hand-outs, but 68 percent of corporations pay no federal income tax, according to Nader.

Corporate fascism not only rules U. S. politics and the economy, but also other aspects of life including the way people think, said Nader. "We grow up corporate with commercialized childhoods. We get a corporate education."

Nader has spent his life fighting corporate power, so his anti-corporate theme is not new, having been at the center of his three previous campaigns for President. However, he clearly thinks things have gotten much worse and that the accumulation of corporate power has gone beyond the tipping point.

"We used to be able to challenge corporate influence in Washington, but they have so much power now that we can't. The corporations are laughing at us. They're daring us to try to take away their power," said Nader.

The choice between a Democrat and a Republican is to Nader a "choice between horrible and terrible." He warned against voting for a candidate because they're not as bad as the other. "If you have a low expectation level of politicians, then they're going to oblige you," said Nader.

Nader warned against continued complacency. "What's wrong with us? Are we the biggest suckers? Are we super-suckers?" He exhorted his audience at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian-Universalists to find their "constructive anger."

He doesn't think it's too late to turn things around, but it will require, "people to break from corporate thinking." Nader called on Americans to reach out to each other, get active and organized, and to make demands for what they need and want.

Nader called on people to become "tough citizens" who are "resilient, informed, and able to bounce back."

He described his campaign for President as an effort to "restore democracy" and to build "resistance and enlightenment.". Nader and his running mate, Matt Gonzalez, former President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, are collecting signatures so that they can appear on the ballot in all fifty states. Information about the campaign is available at www.votenader.org .

Jonathan Nack has been a journalist and activist since 1984. He resides in Oakland, California.

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6 comments

Just a plain working person that is sick of the lies and our ego driven complacency about those lies.
arlen custerJust a plain working person that is sick of the lies and our ego driven complacency about those lies.

As always Nader is correct

As always Nader is correct but most won't listen.

by arlen custer (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 286 comments) on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 12:24:41 PM

Hater of Nazis above all. Hobbies include activism, military model building, military history, exciting and vital conversation with retired crooks. Retired
John HanksHater of Nazis above all. Hobbies include activism, military model building, military history, exciting and vital conversation with retired crooks. Retired

When Fascists Pick Up a Knife...

It is called Nazism. 911 was a Neocon Nazi act.

by John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1408 comments) on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 12:29:09 PM

57 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Happily married w/ 2 boys. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.
mikel paul57 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Happily married w/ 2 boys. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.

Mr. Nader is correct...We are the alternative

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.....Lao Tzu

peace

by mikel paul (11 articles, 1 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 458 comments) on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 1:10:41 PM

Democracy is the pre-eminent value of all Americans, our cherished birthright. My work is to help unite the electoral reform movement into a congruent platform which we can push forward as a nation.
GeoRipDemocracy is the pre-eminent value of all Americans, our cherished birthright. My work is to help unite the electoral reform movement into a congruent platform which we can push forward as a nation.

The US leadership is fascistic. simply that...

Please! We need to protect the real definition of fascism which is simply the exclusive sharing of power by a political and corporate elite. Call it corporatism if you will, but the minute you call it corporate fascism, it is as if there is any other kind. You end up with "Islamo fascism" and the absurdity "liberal fascism", pretty soon it is Lutheran fascism, and eco fascism.

Fascism is fascism and we are one.

I clipped the sentence below from some blog last night...
"David Neiwert on the blog Orcinus responded to Jonah Goldberg's book "Liberal Fascism" by doing a lengthy series of posts delineating precisely what fascism is and is not." click here Dig until you find the 14 identifying characteristics of fascism.

And if you ever get a chance to ask O'Really or Limbaugh or Hannitty to define fascism, I daresay it would put them on the spot. There is a conscious effort by such folks to purposefully confuse the term to take away its power. Properly defined they know they are culpable for contributing to the destruction of what integrity our democracy ever had.

vote.org

by GeoRip (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 46 comments) on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 4:56:19 PM

I live outside of society as much as I can, like an alien, engaged in creativity and aghast at what is occurring. I play guitar, write, dance a ton, love women, and dote on my daughter.
Lover of TruthI live outside of society as much as I can, like an alien, engaged in creativity and aghast at what is occurring. I play guitar, write, dance a ton, love women, and dote on my daughter.

Mixed Feelings Regarding Nader

Nader's analysis of America is true. We are fascist, and fast getting more fascist. Bush and company aren't slowing down in the slightest, despite record setting disapproval (finally).

Trouble is, a vote for Nader end's up being effectively a vote for McCain, and THAT'S a big deal. Contrary to what Nader claims, there is a huge difference between, say, Barack Obama and John McCain in terms of values, beliefs, intelligence, morals, and character. Therefore, a vote for Nader, admittedly a truth teller, is a vote for the worse of the candidates. That is unacceptable. But we voters are in an intractable position.

Solution: ASAP, instant runoff voting, proportional voting, and public financing of campaigns. Then and only then, can a truthful but marginalized candidate like Nader have his rightful impact.

by Lover of Truth (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:27:39 AM

I don't see the big difference

Well Lover I don't see the big difference between McCain and Obama. Some of their words are different but their actions are not. Obama like McCain wants to keep paying mercenaries to fight the wars, they both want to continue the corporate welfare "incentives and tax breaks" so they can make more profit. They both support the patriot act. I could go on and on but that is facing reality and who wants that.

by arlen custer (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 286 comments) on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:41:20 AM