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

~ (Author) "Freedom is participation in power," said the Roman orator Cicero..." (more)
Key Phrases: tort deform, stateless terrorism, civic motivation, United States, Wall Street, President Bush (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The old analogy of apples and oranges, long used to describe things that are completely different, has been rejected by some due to the fact that apples and oranges are, scientifically speaking, extremely similar. For longtime activist, author, and occasional political candidate Ralph Nader, the Democratic and Republican parties, like apples and oranges, may offer different packaging, but are the same on the inside. In The Good Fight, Nader attacks both for their complicity in corporate America's attempts to solidify their power and wealth at the expense of the average citizen's health, job, food, environment and economic future. Still, Nader says, the biggest threat facing regular people comes from inside. "Our lack of civic motivation," he writes, "is the biggest problem facing our country today." And with that in mind, he offers a guide to the powerful institutions at work in the world as well as some advice on how to affect change. Having worked as a civic crusader for so long, Nader is able to present his indictments clearly and is especially compelling when telling the stories of common people who lose their livelihoods and sometimes their lives to corporate profiteering and who then often lose again when they or their families seek redress from a corrupt system where the politicians are in bed with the executives. Some Democrats have accused Nader of taking votes away from their candidates and handing the 2000 election to George W. Bush. Political junkies looking for counter-arguments are mostly out of luck here (John Kerry is mentioned once, Al Gore not at all, and no mention is made of any ambition to elected office) but it becomes clear in reading The Good Fight that Ralph Nader's political career is all about clearly communicating his message. And on that front, he is highly successful. --John Moe

Product Description

The man who shook up American politics in 2000 -- and is doingso again in 2004 -- returns to hold both parties' feet to the fire with his straight talk about Bush, corporate government, and the whole political charade.

Ralph Nader -- relentless activist, brilliant visionary -- may also be the most honest man we've got left in politics. And yet from the moment Nader declared his presidential candidacy on Meet the Press, he's faced relentless opposition, mainly from Democrats fearing that competition from an inspiring independent could dent their voting block "as it did in 2000." Even his old pals at The Nation joined in the party panic.

Now, in The Good Fight, Nader swings back harder than ever at those who "want to block the American people from having more voices and choices" and have lost touch with the concept that votes must be earned, not inherited or entitled. He takes on corporate-occupied Washington and the government's daily abuse against ordinary citizens: "Corporations are saying no to the necessities of the American people. They're saying no to health insurance for everyone, no to a living wage, no to tax reform, no to straightening out the defense budget, which is bloated and redundant, no to access to our courts." And most of all, he urges a speedy return to stronger civic motivation. If fed-up citizens don't actively join the fight for improvement, then ultimately we have no one to blame but ourselves for the inadequate checks on the erosion of our civil liberties.

In an era when politicians sell us rhetoric and then sell out our principles, Nader stands as a crucial voice of candor. The Good Fight is a call to awareness and action that will captivate readers of all political stripes and help us define what we must do to shape the brightest future for our nation.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Regan Books (July 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060756047
• ISBN-13: 978-0060756048
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #799,344 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nader is opening up the political conversation, July 28, 2004

By	S. DuVal "VoteIndy" (Marietta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Brilliant, August 6, 2004

By	J. J. SELL (MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every American needs to read this regardless of party, July 8, 2004

By A Customer

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!