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Nader deserves green light

Ralph Nader was just given the green light from the Green Party to run for president. Political analysts are predicting that Nader may pose a threat to Democratic front-runner Al Gore's campaign. Why? Nader is representing the rights of the people - a principle the Democratic Party was built on but has lost forgotten. Nader should run strong, and by all means, run away with the presidency.

Members of the Green Party had little doubt about Nader's nomination, but it was officially announced in Denver on June 25. Now Nader, along with the outspoken members of the Green Party, is entering the race with full force.

Ralph Nader, 66, made a name for himself when he attacked the auto industry for its lack of safety standards. His life has been a string of battles for consumer rights and private interests. Since his beginning with Consumer Reports and in the court rooms, Nader has been fighting for the rights of the individual - working for our safety, our protection and our genuine best interests. No wonder he is often adopted as a party leader and is repeatedly nominated for the presidency.

Vice President Al Gore is in danger of losing votes and support from the left because of Nader's surprisingly strong campaign. Nader even went so far as to say that "If Albert Gore does not change the spectrum of his agenda, he is going to lose California." Analysts have even gone so far as to say that if Gore loses California, his whole campaign is in danger.

Most Americans are probably thinking back to what happened when Ross Perot entered the presidential race in 1992. Perot was further right than George Bush and ended up taking away a considerable chunk of the conservative vote from the Republican nominee. When asked about the possibility of becoming a "spoiler" by William Booth of the Washington Post, Nader asked those present if Gore was being asked the same question. Nader came to play, and the game is on.

What does Nader want? What does he stand for? Why is his platform preferable to that of Gore or even that of George W. Bush? Simply, he stands for the rights of the people. He always has. His life shows that he always has. Nader entered into an exchange with his mother at a reception this past weekend where she asked him "Do you love your country?" Nader replied that he did upon which she said, "Well, then, I hope you'll work hard to make your country more lovable." Mama knows best.

Supporting Nader is a great idea for an array of reasons. First, the Democratic Party needs a reality check. Take a good, hard look at the evolution of the political spectrum in this country over the past several decades. Both the Democrats and Republicans have become center-seeking, whoring their parties just to garner votes. Nader is running with real concerns and real issues without caring about whether he'll make everyone like him a little bit.

Voting Green, or at least hearing what Nader has to say, also gives strength to the idea of democracy in the United States. The two-party system was born along with the Articles of the Confederation and later strengthened by unionization in the early 1930s. The idea is outdated. It was used to get people to participate and now less than half the country even cares to show up. Democracy should be more than voting for the lesser of two evils.

Ralph Nader is our political knight in shining armor. He's going to usher in a new breed of politics in the executive branch. To use another clichˇ, Nader, as president, will save the day. Everything he stands for has the citizens in mind. What do you want? What do you need? That's what Nader wants and needs. That's what the Green party is, and Ralph Nader is its leader.

During the months leading to the November election, remember that your vote should be more than what mom and dad think. It's more than a choice for the lesser of two evils. It's a choice for the most powerful politician in this country and, arguably, in the world. Would you rather elect a voter's whore, or a representative of your interests? Presidents shouldn't be whores, they should be true representatives.