Re: RAT Fwd: ZNet Update / Arrestees in Philly, Action Urgently Needed

[Pwpny@aol.com]

Oh, God, oh God, oh God. I swore I wouldn't do this, enter into this morass 
of a debate, but I am strangely compelled...

Ralph Nader is the ONLY candidate talking about substantive issues. Ralph 
Nader and the Greens SHOULD have a chance in the presidential process. Ralph 
Nader is a terrific ADVOCATE. Ralph Nader would be a TERRIBLE president.

Lemme 'splain. Politics is about building consensus, about making 
compromises, about twisting arms, about making threats, about working deals. 
Don't ya'll ever watch "The West Wing?" Nader would be worse than Jimmy 
Carter (a man I highly respect and admire but who was not able to fulfill his 
promise as president) as president because he has even less connection with 
Washington politics and politicos - he wouldn't be able to get anything done! 
Presidents don't think or act in a vacuum - they have to work with Congress, 
with lobbyists, with citizen's groups, with big business (God help us!), etc. 
We need an insider in Washington! And there is no use blaming this on the 
"state of  American politics today" or how current politicians have corrupted 
the system - because IT HAS BEEN EVER THUS. Look at Rome, look at "The 
Prince," look at other countries around the world - it's the nature of 
politics.

Does that mean we shouldn't try to change things? Of course not. Does that 
mean that I think people shouldn't vote for Nader if they feel strongly about 
him? Of course not. But I do feel that current "cynicism" about politics is 
often borne out of a naivete or idealism that doesn't take into acount the 
complexity of institutions, systems, issues or people. I also feel that it's 
real easy for us, a bunch of liberal and/or libertarian types to chew on all 
of this, when I know that people like my father (and he's not alone) believe 
that ANY Democrat out there is doing the work of Satan on this earth.

Oy! That all came out a bit stronger than I meant, but you get my drift. Me, 
I'm voting for Gore. I don't love him, and I'll admit that when he chose 
Lieberman, I briefly considered a Nader vote ('cuz I am friggin' tired of 
being taken for granted in my own damned party). But I gotta have an eye on 
the Supreme Court, on abortion, on gun control, etc. and Bush sickens me. And 
while I do believe that it's great to have a Nader in there stirring things 
up, he just wouldn't be, couldn't be an effective president.

That's my two cents. Hit me!

Catherine Porter
PWP
NYC