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Crashing the Party: Taking on the Corporate Government in an Age of Surrender

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I was among those who thought Ralph Nader was a "spoiler" and deprived Al Gore of the election. After reading this book, I now realize that Nader is correct-the major premise of his book is that both the Democratic and Republican parties have become so corrupt and so removed from citizen interests as to be identically disqualified from putting forward viable candidates for the future. He puts forth a vision for a new democracy in which the citizens take back the power and demand that third party candidates be allowed to join the Presidential debates and be heard by America.

Some will accuse Nader of name-dropping and self-aggrandizing in this book, but that is an unfair charge. He has dedicated 40 years of his life to a quest for fairness in American life. As I went through the book and reflected on his very early efforts on everything from women's rights to product safety to the environment I could not help thinking that the breadth and substance of his accomplishments make the Democratic and Republican candidates look like Johnny-come-latelys who are also bluffing snake oil salesmen. This guy is "the real deal."

I recommend that two books be read prior to reading this one: Halstead & Lind's "The Radical Center: The Future of American Politics" and Ray & Anderson's "The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World". Two other books could add useful underpinnings to the points Nader makes that I summarize below: Lewis' "LOSERS: The Road to Everyplace but the White House" which immortalizes citizen-businessman Morry Taylor (the "Grizz"); and Williamson's "IMAGINE: What America Could be in the 21st Century."

A few points about Nader's book that I hope will dispel all the negative reviews and demonstrate that this is required reading:

1) This is the only book that addresses the totality of the challenges and threats to America in a sensible balanced way, without platitudes and upon a foundation of fact.

2) This is the only book representing the new political paradigm in which the citizen-voters take back the power by wiping out the ability of corporations to buy politicians.

3) This is the only book that thoughtfully and convincingly demonstrates that the Democrats have morphed into shadow Republicans, and both parties have completely lost their ethical and popular foundation.

4) This is the only book that bluntly confronts the fact that we get the government we deserve--democracy is hard work and demands citizen time and thought.

5) Among the useful details that should outrage and mobilize citizens, and all according to Nader:

a) the Commission on Presidential Debates is a fraud perpetrated upon the public--it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democratic and Republic parties created explicitly to displace the more honest League of Women Voters and to bar third party candidates from being visible to America in the crucial Presidential debates.

b) there is an incestuous relationship between the media, the polls (most funded by the media) and the Presidential debate and public policy process.

c) global threats are not well-understood by Americans, and a major effort spanning the next generation must be undertaken to restore global or foreign affairs and foreign trade understanding to the public.

d) public budgets are neither public nor honest. They are massively distorted with a "proliferating array of taxpayer subsidies, giveaways, and bailouts (known as corporate welfare) to corporations." A recurring theme in Nader's book, based on factual legally-viable documentation, is the manner in which corporations are looting the commonwealth with the active connivance of our elected officials. The people need to wise up.

e) the Internet has *not* has the anticipated leveling effect of bringing out citizen-voters to take back the power and stop corporate socialism.

f) the non-profit organizations and popular organizations (e.g. the Sierra Club, the AFL-CIO) consistently misrepresent their members by choosing the "lesser of two evils" in the two traditionalist corporate candidates, not realizing that a) a lesser evil is still evil and b) their members are smart enough to consider third party alternatives and could--if enough such organizations banded together, cause a third party to be instantly visible as a mainstream alternative.

g) the public commonwealth (the airwaves, land, water, etc.) has been taken away from the people. It is time to get it back and demand, as one small example, that those using the airwaves granted by the public provide for free political time for all viable candidates, ending the advertising rip-off that also deprives the people of clear access to all competing views.

h) community building from the neighborhood up is the place to start. We need to focus on empowering and exciting the young people and building a cadre of volunteer civic activists that will sustain progressive public interests for the decades to come.

I would make one personal observation that was inspired by reading this book: I do not believe that any one President, from any party, is viable as a "one click" choice for leading America. In my view, the next President should not be elected without two fundamental changes in how we elect Presidents: 1) instant run-off voting must be enacted, allowing second choice votes to play a role if a third party candidate is not elected (while qualifying the third party for funding in future elections based on the first choice vote); and 2) Cabinets must be announced in advance of the election and be the focus of at least one Presidential debate including at least three but ideally four parties. It is time for a third party candidate to pull together a Cabinet that includes the best choice for key posts irrespective of parties, and specifically including the Pat Buchanan's, Sam Nunns, Colin Powells, and key others like Ross Perot, Morry Taylor, even Jello Biafra (as new Minister of Culture!).

This is really a superb book, in the tradition the Committees of Correspondence that helped bring about the American revolution, and I recommend it to all.

Everyone needs to read this book! Ralph Nader describes the corruption of our political system and describes in great detail what really happened in the Presidential Campaign of 2000--it is chilling to find out how the media blacked out newsworthy information about Nader's campaign. It doesn't matter whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Green , or other---the information contained in this book transcends party lines--it is information that is vital to our democracy.

Nader attracted crowds of 10,000 plus at his super rallies in Boston, Portland, New York, Washington, DC, etc. He attracted more people than Gore or Bush at their stump speeches---10,000 people is an amazing number for a third party candidate. The media had a responsibility to cover these rallies!

Nader was also illegally barred from viewing the debates in Boston. He had a ticket to attend the viewing room, and he was illegally escorted out by police sent by the Debate Commission. He has filed a lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). The CPD tried to have the case thrown out, but the judge felt that something was terribly amiss--the case is still pending.

Shouldn't the media be telling us that a lawsuit has been filed against the Debate Commission??!!

The League of Women Voters (the former sponsors of the debates) withdrew their sponsorship from the debates when the CPD stepped in, saying that the debates were a fraud and that they didn't want to be part of the hoodwinking of the american public.

What's left of our Democracy is slowly dying. It is up to us as citizens, regardless of political party affiliation, to get involved and take back our government.

This book is very disturbing, but what is more disturbing is the fact that the majority of Americans don't even know what is happening---corruption thrives in the dark--- everyone must read this book!

As Nader said , "If you don't turn on to politics, politics will turn on you."

One is probably not surprised that large corporations and big money are running our country as Ralph Nader documents in his book "Crashing the Party". The Democrats and the Republicans both receive large financial contributions from the corporations thereby ensuring corporations that they have access to the White House regardless of which party wins the election. To appease these corporations and to ensure a continual flow of campaign money both parties support legislation favorable to the corporations. Nader points out the Democrats have "morphed" into the Republican Party resulting in very little differences between the two parties.

When third party candidates run for office the giant media conglomerates do not provide national news coverage if the candidates no not have a respectable showing in the polls. If the candidates are not getting coverage their polls don't have a chance to improve. To increase their standing in the polls, third party candidates need exposure. The best way for them to get exposure is to be included in the debates.

The Commission on Presidential Debates now controls the debates. The Commission is comprised of the former National Democratic Committee Chairman and the former National Republican Committee Chairman and their appointees. The Commission rules on all decisions regarding the debates including which candidates to include, what questions to ask and who will monitor the discussion. The Commission requires a candidate to be registered and on the ballot in enough states to theoretically be able to obtain the required number of electoral votes necessary to become President to be included in the debates. Congress (Democrats and Republicans) has passed legislation requiring candidates to have a 15% rating in the polls to be included in the debates. For a candidate to be included on the states ballot the states impose their own requirements ranging from obtaining a certain number of signatures to meeting their fee requirements, for example in North Carolina it requires 51,324 signatures and $4,000.

How can we brake the cycle and take back our country? The two existing parties will only pay attention if third party candidates begin to make some encroachment on their votes at all levels of politics. A third party candidate may not win the election, but the average and below average American lost the 2000 election anyway, regardless of the Gore/Bush results. Nader is building a long-term reform movement and as the strength of that party grows the Democrats and the Republicans will be forced to change or they will continue to decay as a political party.

Are third party candidates (Nader) qualified? Nader's years of experience as a citizens advocate for consumers results in his being extremely knowledgeable beyond the depth of most candidates in a wide range of topics. Throughout his book "Crashing the Party" he constantly shows an understanding of situations and an in depth comprehension of details.

Nader also adequately and knowledgeable addresses the issues of foreign affairs although this book was written before September 11th, which of course has a baring on these matters. Does 9/11 and the war on terrorism meaning that we must be loyal to the President regardless of other issues? Circumstances of this nature and how to approach these issues are items that are decided by many advisors regardless of who is President and war should be decided by congress. Everyone is supportive of Presidents during crisis, but that does not imply a blind obligation to support future actions regardless of who is President.

During the 2000 presidential election, many people either did not vote for lack of interest and disgust in the system or voted for the lesser of two evils. I voted for Gore in hopes of keeping the Republicans out of office. Today I realize, thanks in large part to Naders book "Crashing the Party" that neither of the DemRep parties have an interest in the average citizen. I lose with either party. Any qualified third party candidate in future elections will likely receive my vote.

Quoting from the book, "wealth inequality is greater than at any time since World War II. The top 1 percent of the wealthiest people have more financial wealth than the bottom 90 percent of Americans combined, the worst inequality among large Western nations".

In the last pages Nader states that it is "time for people to ask how badly they want a democracy" and based on his fact filled book I would suggest that one give serious consideration to voting "Green" next election.

It is time for the people to take back America. Go Green!

In this thoughful, entertaining and highly readable book, Ralph Nader discusses his Green Party bid for the Presidency. The author very effectively answers the many critics who accused him of playing a "spoiler" role in the 2000 election.

With over 100 million non-voters in the U.S., Nader believes that there is ample opportunity for a third party to take root and grow. By aligning with the Green Party, Nader's vision is to nurture a movement that has not "surrendered" its values to corporate interests.

Nader is a grown-up who writes with insight and intelligence. He understands that some of his liberal friends were ultimately unwilling to support his campaign because of longstanding ties with the Democratic Party (and the attendant fear of tilting the election to George W. Bush). But Nader's counter argument sticks: a healthy democracy demands a citizenry that is willing to vote its conscience. He drives the point home by highlighting the fact that the Democrats have become increasingly pro-business and almost indistinguishable from the Republicans in recent years (Nader also included a section in the appendix on this subject), meaning that many progressive ideas have been stuck on the shelves for far too long. Nader compelling argues that the American people deserve better.

On the other hand, the personal pain is writ fairly large when Nader recalls how certain so-called friends -- many of whom collaborated with Nader on projects in the past -- actually went so far as to misrepresent his ideas in order to harm his campaign and get Al Gore elected. One would think that such behavior is uncalled for under any circumstances, but to knowingly slander a man who has arguably done more for the American people over the past 40 years than any other single person, and for whom principles mean a great deal, is disgraceful. I applaud Nader for using this book to set the record straight.

Yet despite what was obviously a very physically, financially and emotionally draining experience (Nader's futile attempts to get on the Presidential debates must have been very challenging), Nader emerges as a class act. He is proud of what the campaign was able to achieve, and he encourages others to participate in the democractic process too.

"Crashing the Party" is recommended reading for anyone with a keen interest in Ralph Nader, the Green Party or the 2000 election.

Let me start off by saying I am a Libertarian and disagree with the vast majority of what Nader believes in. I was persuaded to read this book from a friend who does not see eye to eye with me politically. Before I never really like Nader, I thought he was a self-promoter and very pompous. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of him and have started to really respect Nader.

I am not one of those divisive activists tearing this country apart. I believe politically that this nation has always been one of consideration and compromise. Only recently has a small group of activist created this rift that seems to be everywhere. I once thought of Nader as one of those polarizing activists, but this book dispelled those myths.

Nader, nor any of the other "third parties", cost Gore the election in 2000. What Nader did was speak for a small minority not included in the Democratic Party that may have very well been needed to have been heard. Not that IF Gore would have won, he would have done any better than Bush. This book outlines detailed criticisms of the Clinton-Gore presidency and offers his solutions to counter them.

After the election in 2000, Nader has spent a great deal of time starting organizations to support what he believes in. He is always on the move and always looking for an ear to hear him out. Even when faced with minor defeats, it appears that Nader looks back at them, learns some lessons, and moves forward.

After reading this book, I have learned that Nader is not a self-promoter who only wants to be President, but an activist fighting for what he believes in, yet learns and grows, over time.

I do not believe in an activist government with a protective compact with citizens. I do not believe in the government instituting "progressive" jobs with justice in the workplace. I do not believe in a cradle to grave social net. However I do believe that this nation can discuss these issues intelligently, and that Nader not only deserves our respect, but admiration as well.

This book should be mandatory reading for all present and soon to be voters. Any Republican or Democrat who reads this book and isn't enlightened must have tunnel-vision.
Mr. Nader tells it like it was during his presidential campaign. The insurmountable hurdles placed in his path and his efforts to open the doors of democracy. I was shocked to learn that the key presidential debate (which he wasn't permitted to participate in) is controlled by the two major parties, by a private corporation no less. The book is a must read for anyone who takes the american political system to heart.

Ralph Nader is the real thing. For longer than some younger elected officials have been alive, Nader has been the nation's conscience, raising questions about the safety of everyday items to demanding that the government take a greater responsibility towards the well being of all its people and territory. His book, CRASHING THE PARTY, conveys two separate messages. First, it's the story of Nader and the Green Party's 2000 Presidential Campaign, based on rejecting both the notion of corporate influence and money on politics, and attempting to establish a genuinely progressive political party. Second, it's a condemnation of the current political landscape, which currently is motivated, not by the votes of the people, but by the dollars of the wealthiest few. Democrats and Republicans alike should find much to interest them, though the more partisan amongst them will no doubt find much that they'll find upsetting.

It's become increasingly true of late that the Electoral College system in the United States has forced Presidential hopefuls to concentrate their efforts on small numbers of "swing states" while taking a lot of their key constituencies for granted. Tellingly, Ralph Nader was the only Presidential Candidate in the 2000 election who actually campaigned all 50 states (and the District of Columbia). What an idea. And Nader describes his travels in great detail, pointing out all the issues ignored by the two main parties. In an amusing aside, Nader posits that the state of airline travel today would be in much better shape if politicians took commercial flights from rally to rally (as Nader did) instead of having their flights chartered. But mainly the focus is on the poor who, Nader states, are getting poorer, yet are mentioned less and less in political speeches, their voices being lost out to the power of the wealthy, the corporations, and the special interests groups. Nader's take on how left-wing organizations will react differently to the same actions depending on which party is talking certainly makes for interesting reading, and is probably more than a little disturbing if you happen to be someone who supports one of those concerns.

Worth the price of the book alone is the chapter dealing with Nader's attempts to gain entry to the Presidential Debates. Having gone through the entire twisted legal process himself as a legitimate third-party candidate, Nader angrily but carefully points out how arbitrary the current system is, where the two major parties get to decide what topics the debates will cover, the number and format of the debates, and, most importantly, who is allowed to participate in the debates. Not surprisingly, Nader found it very difficult as a third-party candidate to join a club hosted by the two exclusive parties. His frustration would be laughable if it were not such a serious matter. The Presidential Debates are the single best way for a candidate to connect with millions of voters, and despite his own efforts (and the polls that clearly stated most Americans being in favor of his and Pat Buchanan's inclusion) it turned out to be a members-only club. If you don't feel a stir of rage inside of you when reading these sections, then your last name probably rhymes with "Gush" or "Bore".

To be fair, Nader's prose can often be wooden and repetitive. He's a little bit too fond of dryly listing names and organizations, and there are places where the writing can get in the way of message. But what Nader is saying is much more important than how he is saying it. There may not be a large number of memorable poetic turns of phrase (although he'll surprise you every so often with a striking bit of language), but it's the facts and the reasoning that you'll remember. And despite the lack of flowery speech, the one thing that does come across is Nader's passion and emotion. He may not be the most dramatically expressive author in the world, but there is a fiery fervor that burns through his words.

Nader offered people a choice in the 2000 elections. Refusing to give in to the philosophy of voting for the "least worst" candidate, Nader shows us how this reasoning results in politicians becoming gradually worse rather than progressively better. He outlines how the failure of the Democratic Party to field viable and broadminded, left-wing candidates has resulted in that party's move towards the center, and helped deliver the Republican Party to its more extreme members. Nader isn't waiting for the Democrats to move back to their old positions; if they aren't going to rally around those ideals, then he will.

CRASHING THE PARTY is not a terribly old book (it's been published and updated fairly recently), but it is already making Ralph Nader look frighteningly prophetic. With each new piece of breaking news, it seems that everything that Nader has been warning us about has come to pass. In the Enron scandal, we see the justification for Nader's claims concerning the corruption that goes on when giant corporations are left unchecked. With the Democrat's historic loses in the 2002 mid-term elections, we see his warnings about what happens when voters are given a choice between two identical candidates. Read this book to see not only the Green Party's struggle to get some respect, but the scary evidence as to how much influence money plays in the political moves and motivations of the two big parties.

Surely, John Brown is resting in peace. But his spirit has found itself a party and they call themselves--THE GREENS! Sounds like something we should eat more of, but as it turns out we should be thinking green as well.
Ralph Nader and The Green Party-- are out to prove this ain't no one horse country. One horse? That's right. Nader addresses the disappearing line between our two dominatig political parties in "Crashing the Party". Nader's memoir of the campaign trail delivers a blow of honesty to the solarplexus of his readers. "Democrats. Republicants. Who cares? We've got to take the power from corporate America and give it back to the people." writes Wood in his online review of Nader's "Crashing the Party".
But how? Nader walks the talk, talks the walk, and puts green boards to chalk as he schools his readers on how to put their thoughts into action in "Crashing the Party". This book offers solutions to problems that everyone can take part in bringing to fruition.
No hidden agendas. No spin. No Greengate. No happy dust. Just liberty and justice for all. Amen!

I don't wish to hear anyone complain again about the absence of qualified, electable, candidates for president. But I know I will and I'll have to lash out my stock answer to this, which is: Do you mean someone who has courage and the stamina not to mention the high voltage intelligence it takes to actually serve the needs of our citizens? Well, we have had one for two elections and we wouldn't even let him debate. We are that fearful of changing a system that we all know isn't working. If I were the Empress of the Western Hemisphere, everyone would be forced to read this book, even if we had to tape their eyes open a la "Clockwork Orange." Without Ralph Nader's nagging, a lot us would be dead, diseased or forced to watch our loved ones suffer unspeakable fates. Can we remember what this man has done for four decades please?

Why did thousands of people pay actual money to hear a presidential candidate speak? Read the candidate's election year diary and you'll know why. We're stuck with a hollow democracy because it's been hijacked by corporate interests who've turned it into little more than a purchased business asset. That's the book's main message, and though most people don't need Ralph Nader to tell them the obvious, a first-hand account does add a lot of important detail. For example, there are the steps by which the Democratic Party has been denatured and turned into Republican Party Lite. It's a sad tale and sorry end to the former People's party, but Nader's narrative makes for a handy reference and informative guide.

Sure, a lot of folks don't like Nader. I think he makes some uncomfortable with his air of self-conscious purity, plus angering a lot of well-meaning, but misguided Democrats. But like him or not, he does walk the walk, and few have witnessed insider Washington as closely as he has without selling out. So when he pronounces the Democratic Party a walking corpse without hope, that's not sour grapes, it's Anatomy Class 101.

Unlike most books, Nader's appendices make interesting reading for the names that are named and the records that are revealed. On the downside, little mention is made of the Florida scandal or those other banished debacles of 2002. Nor does he mention his final vote tally or percentage of returns. That may be because of a promising start which did not, as hoped, reach the matching funds essential to 2004 - figures which would also index that deadly voting booth virus known as the lesser-evil syndrome. Whatever the reason, he's presented us with both an educational tour through the lunar landscape of national elections and a good guide to who's responsible for sucking the air out of them.