Customer Reviews

The Good Fight: Declare Your Independence and Close the Democracy Gap

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Once again Ralph Nader steps up to the plate that few others will approach. In "The Good Fight" Nader again challenges the status quo, voter apathy, and citizens who have forgotten that THEY run the USA, not corporate interests. As with his previous books, Nader presents an unnerving mix of dispair and hope. He awakens the reader with the progressive view of the problems with America. Such claims of corporate corruption of politics, disregard for human rights, dwindling consumer rights, a failed health care system, and wanton destruction of the environment assail the reader and provoke a sense of hopelessness. But then just as quickly, Nader offers insight, strategy, encouragement, and hope to turn things around and put the PEOPLE back in DEMOCRACY.

Neither a Republican nor a Democrat (difficult for some people to comprehend), Nader points out the shortcomings of both parties and how they have both surrendered to corporate interests. Corporations donate millions of dollars to candidates. Upon election the candidates subsequently act in the interest of their corporate donors, not in the interest of thier constituency. Corporations with no allegiance to the USA then expand their rights, while all-too-often weakening the rights of the people. With so many people obsessed with hot-button issues, they fail to see this undermining of democracy at a fundamental level.

"We are a nation of, by, and for the people, not corporations."

Regardless of your partisanship, I recommend this book as a superb eye-opener. If it fails to provoke constructive thought, clear your mind of political bias and read it again. Since completing this book (as well as previous Nader books) I have passed it on to friends and family across the political spectrum. All have agreed that at the very least, it will make you think twice about what you think you know.

Anyone whose intuition is telling them that "things aren't quite right" in the governence of our democracy, I totally recommend this read. The Democrats like to project their party as the Party of the People, but my own experience is that doesn't jive anymore, but I couldn't put it into words. Nader's book was quite helpful in beginning to see that the Democrats & Republicans are more concerned with winning and maintaining power than addressing the pressing needs of the country. I found myself sad at certain passages, realizing that we Americans are losing our capacity for self-governence, and the political class is quite willing to hurt average folks if it means re-election for them and $$ for their corporate friends. Nader's book, as well as his campaign, is shedding light on some ugly facts about our two-party system. After reading the book, I find current news events more alarming, especially how the Democrats are subverting democracy by keeping him off the ballot and away from the voters. Republicans, in a public display of inconfidence in Pres Bush, are also guilty of gaming the ballot access laws. Both parties refuse to acknowledge that their are 10s of millions of Independents and non-voters who no longer support them or their practices. The most alarming realization is this: The Democrats & Republicans are failing the American people in huge ways and causing a lot of human pain, and yet they will not yield to any grassroots solutions. Nader is quite eloquent on this point: any solution to the Nation's problems outside of the two-party framework will *not* be considered. It dawned on me how limited our options have become if we continue to invest all our energy in participating in this endless two-party fight. Nader is doing what he's always done best -- expose the oppressors of average people by fighting the good fight. For all the crap he's taking from the "anybody but Bush crowd", he has the high road in this debate -- he's mostly right. After reading his book and his website, I admire his courage for sticking to his principles and truly defending democracy and, along with that, the interests of the American people.

I expected this to be a book about HIS 'good fight' and was somewhat surprised that it was his challenge to ME. To me to be a good citizen and put up a good fight - a fight for justice, fairness, open debates, free elections for third parties...maybe with instant runoff voting. Most candidates are always saying vote for me, vote for me ... but he doesn't do that. This isn't a one-campaign book.

I have been active in civic affairs before but not with his perspective. The book gave me much to think about.

One thing I wish he had spoken about is how his theme song "If You Gotta Ask" got written and what his connection is with Liquid Blue but he seldom talks much about himself. ("Man, if you gotta ask you'll never know." -- Louis Armstrong) Nader certainly has the best theme song of the campaign. I purchased the album "Super Nova" a few months ago and would recommend it. Lyrics and samples are at

http://www.liquid-blue.com

I'm eagerly waiting for Nader's book "In Pursuit of Justice" due out soon.

I think the biggest thing to come away with from this book, is that we need to fight back as every day citizens, and if we choose not to concern ourselves with the process of democracy, we will continue to lose it. We need to be involved, discuss citizenship with our children over the dinner table, and take active steps as patriots to ensure we have a democracy. We have been hijacked by our own corporate CEO's and politicians for over 40 years. We are powerless to the corporate greed that infiltrates every aspect of our lives, from our heath, our standard of living, even our sexuality. And we are all to blame for being way to complacent. Democracy is not a spectator sport. If you don't fight for it daily, you will not have it. The internet is a tool to bypass biased media and put power in the hands of the average person...if they choose to use it.

Admittedly, I did not know much about Ralph Nader when I voted for Gore in 2000 and blamed him for Gore losing to some extent. I realize now, that is another corporate lie. In checking the FEC.GOV elections results for 2000 and comparing them with MSNBC exit polls, it turns out the Democrats caused Bush to win by voting for him...8 million of them. Clinton's own moving the party more toward corporate ownership and less for the people was part of this. When you talk to the average voter whether republican, democrat, or other, they all seem to agree on wanting more value focus in our America and less corruption. Ralph Nader has led a life against corruption. If ever there was an advocate for the people it is Mr. Nader.

I don't know if the American public is smart enough to get involved and/or to vote for Nader. Maybe the decades of brainwashing from the media and corporate elite have turned us into the George Orwellian 1984. The two major parties have long since stopped serving the people. I believe if the republican and democrat VOTERS would seize the opportunity to take the steps Mr. Nader has outlined in his book, we could take back ownership of this country and put it in the citizens' hands once again. All the blaming of George Bush for the current state is just what is wrong with our mentalities. The problems with our political process and corporate ownership started long before him and under both republican and democrat administrations, and, will continue long after him regardless of who wins this election...unless people stand up and fight against it.

Imagine if those 100 million people in America who do not vote would stand up and vote this year, and not for a republican or a democrat. Imagine the power! And imagine if each of the 200 million voters took it upon themselves to actively do something each week in their communities to fight against our decaying society.

The American dream has been dead for the younger generations. I think Mr. Nader is challenging us to revive that dream once again. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Get involved!

Another marvelous book by a great author and a warrior of the truth !
Nader as always is brilliant, decent, and incorruptible.
Nader's high ethical standards and great ideas should be a guiding torch to our government.
Thanks to him, there is some accountability in Washington. His persistence to fight for the public stands strong in defiance of the black out by the media and the dirty smear campaigns by the politicians. If Nader was corrupt he would've been recruited by the elites and could've occupied the White House or other high positions in government and top corporations.
Nader is never for sale and will continue to stand for the little people as an icon of truth and integrity.
I would highly recommend his book for every citizen that has concerns for his country, and for every person that values ethics in business, government, and life in general....

I had heard of Mr. Nader in 2000 and did not do much research on him, his name came up this year also so I decided to buy this book a couple of weeks ago to see what he is all about.

I was blown away. This guy is an actual "public servant" in the sense of the word. He fought with GE to make cars safer which saved numerous lives, he founded 100 civic organizations (to help out the American people), and he devoted/devotes his life to help Americans.

Have you ever wondered or felt frustrated that no matter how much money you make, it is not enough or you just don't feel peace? Well this is a great book for you. This book will inspire you about how to make America an excellent place.

Think of Erin Brokovich and how she helped out people who were being abused by PG&E, Nader is the same type of person, except he has helped thousands or even millions of people.

Does anybody feel like our senators, congressman, president, etc. are our employees? Probably not, you probably feel like you are their employees even though you pay their tax dollars and elect them to represent you to act in their interests. Wouldn't it be nice to elect people who actually care and listen to you - make you their number one priority? - I really get that kind of feeling from Mr. Nader.

- Finally a quote from the book - you may think you won't make a difference but each of us is like a few drops of water and if all the water combines it makes a great river.

This is one of those must-read books that should be required in schools and for everyone. Great reading and important lessons in how a democracy should work, and why the US falls short. But this is not to say that Ralph offers only criticism, for what he really offers are solutions. Solutions that are not imposed from above, enacted by some party or person, but solutions dependent upon the activism of the peoples who make up these United States.

Ralph Nader is about the only person I can think of who will be interviewed by Sean Hannity one day, and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! the next. I hear so many "dittoheads" on talk radio say that they voted for him in 2000 that it makes me wonder if maybe some votes of conservatives disappeared down some Diebold rabbit hole.
I didn't realize that Nader was the force behind the auctioning of seats when airplanes are overbooked. And his efforts to make cars safer here, made cars safer all over the world as foreign producers had to increase their standards to enter our market. So, Nader isn't just a national treasure, but an international hero.
I just started the book, and it will be helpful in figuring out how to be a better public citizen myself.

Ralph Nader, the personification of social justice in America, is a learned man with an encyclopedic knowledge of what is going on in the America of today. His decades of service to an ungrateful nation translate into a book packed with a litany of wrongs transpiring day-in and day-out in America.
The Good Fight, Nader points out, just happens to coincide with his candidacy for the US presidency. As such, the book avoids overt political campaigning either pro or con - the book's sub-title notwithstanding - and focuses on listing, detailing and offering solutions for the endless catalogue of what ails America. The book urges civil action, education and participation in response to the predicaments facing the USA in every respect. Be it foreign policy, safety concerns, food or drugs, schooling and science, voracious corporate greed or the media Nader points to the problem and offers a congruent solution in an easy-to-read (hint hint, middle America) and concise manner.
In the corporatist race to the bottom The Good Fight fingers politicians and big business as the betrayers of the American ideal and the media as the happy-go-lucky accomplices to the treason.
Will Americans strain away from their TV sets long enough to listen and regain mastery of their nation? Probably not, for after all this is the exact same deluded citizenry that needs Nader, but frankly deserves Bush.

Many people have mixed emotions when it comes to the tenacious Ralph Nader, but truth be told, Ralph Nader proves time and time again what an amazing intellect he really is.
After reading this book I'm thoroughly convinced that this man should be president of the United States, and that we should start considering third party alternatives. I've also come to the conclusion that the Republicans and the Democrats don't have our best interest at heart, and they can't be trusted with our well-being.
With that said, most Americans feel the same way since many of us don't participate in these farcical elections. And if we had a real democracy we'd be exposed to many alternative viewpoints, and candidates such as Nader would have been permitted to participate in the presidential debates.

Many Green Party candidates weren't allowed to debate in the 2006 elections. Michael Berg (who ran for congress in Delaware) wasn't allowed to debate; when he tried he was escorted off of the stage. Senator Hillary Clinton refused to debate Howie Hawkins in New York, and in Seattle Washington Aaron Dixon was arrested for trying to participate in the senatorial debate. For this reason alone this book is an important read. We as Americans need to ascertain that our constitutional rights are in jeopardy.

The "Good Fight" is a true magnum opus of bona fide leftwing opinion backed up with facts, facts that should scare the heck out of us.

Fact 1: HIV/AIDS infects forty million people worldwide and life-sustaining drugs are not available to a large majority of people because these drugs cost more than $10,000 a year in the U.S. and other first world countries. Nader said that the drugs are extremely expensive
"because the brand-name companies have patent monopolies that prevent price-lowing competition. And our government (under the Clinton administration) was acquiescing with The World Trade Organization (WTO) over these patents.
Countries such as India began manufacturing generic medicine, but the larger drug companies still hold the patents to the original medications and sell them for quadruple the price of what they are really worth. Meanwhile, "countries in the WTO will not be allowed to exercise their own safety standards. In addition, drug companies themselves lobby and threaten governments in developing countries. Often such countries suppress the generic cheaper competition that could save millions of dollars and help control HIV/AIDS," said Nader.

When governments and corporations interfere with peoples' right to live, it's not only unethical, but it can be construed as murder. Think about it: Nader is not saying that pharmaceutical companies don't have a right to make a profit; they just shouldn't have the right to make it at the expense of peoples' lives when a pandemic such as AIDS threatens the entire world.

Fact 2: Both "political parties received $9.3 million from convicted criminals during the 2002 elections," according to the "Corporate Crime Reporter." Corporations such as Pfizer and Chevron were part of the scandal. Pfizer contributed $1.1 million to the Democrats and Republicans and Chevron gave $875,400 to both parties. So, what the American people really need to inquire is; do our votes or opinions really count when powerful companies can purchase politicians at a whim? When democracy is for sale to the highest bidder then it's an oligarchy.

Fact 3: "The foreign policy and intelligence agencies operate in secrecy and rarely have to explain themselves, even to each other. (The 9/11 Commission provides a welcome exception, but received a chilly reception from the Bush Administration)," said Nader. The truth is the 9/11 Commission report is a fraud, but Nader did say that, "the U.S. Constitution requires publication of the governments budget, but when an American citizen challenged the secrecy of the CIA's budget in federal court, the case was dismissed." Nader didn't name the citizen in question but Article I of the Bill of Rights does guaranty "a redress of grievances."

Nader's book also covers the issues of corporate fraud, Bush and Cheney's obliquity over 9/11, globalization, decimating of the world, plus environmental issues.

I don't agree with everything Nader has to say and you won't either, but that isn't the point. The point is he was a presidential candidate that should have been heard in 2004 and had the right to run on equal terms against Bush and Kerry. And we should be mighty angry that he wasn't given the opportunity to do so.

And as much as people would like to believe that if Nader didn't run for president, 9/11 would not have occurred. I'm afraid to inform those people that 9/11 was in the works all along. Just ask yourself how the USA Patriot Act became law so quickly and ponder on the fact that John Kerry wrote the money laundering provisions in the act. And according to Alex Jones, John Kerry and Bush are distant cousins. Think about it? Our last presidential election was bogus! We need to take our country back and the only way to accomplish it is by voting for alternative candidates.

Excellent Read!