Ralph Nader: Trump, Congress, and the Fight for Democracy | Big Money in Politics

The Long Fight for People Over profit: Ralph Nader on Corporate Accountability, From 1965 to Today

For over half a century, Ralph Nader has been a relentless voice for the public, challenging corporate power and advocating for consumer safety. His landmark 1965 book, unsafe at Any Speed, ignited a national conversation about automobile safety and sparked legislative change. But as Nader explains, the landscape of corporate accountability has dramatically shifted since than, presenting new and formidable challenges.

This conversation, stemming from a discussion about the 1999 WTO protests and a new documentary exploring the era, delves into Nader’s outlook on the trajectory of protecting citizens against unchecked corporate influence. It’s a story of past victories, present obstacles, and a call to action for a revitalized citizenry.

The Early Wins: Unsafe at Any Speed and the Birth of Auto Safety

Nader’s journey began with a scathing critique of the automotive industry. Unsafe at Any Speed exposed the deliberate design flaws in cars that prioritized profit over passenger safety. This wasn’t just a book; it was a catalyst.

* Congressional Hearings: Senator Ribicoff led highly publicized hearings, bringing the issue to national attention.
* Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Senator Magnuson spearheaded the creation of the first-ever Motor Vehicle safety Standards.
* NHTSA Established: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was formed within the Department of Transportation.
* global Impact: U.S. safety standards influenced international manufacturers, requiring them to meet higher crashworthiness standards and issue recalls.

Millions of lives have been saved thanks to these initial battles. Though, Nader stresses that replicating these successes today is substantially harder.

The Erosion of Accountability: Why Progress Has Stalled

“None of that can be done today,” Nader asserts. Despite a continued stream of exposés revealing corporate misconduct – from “forever chemicals” to devastating impacts on livelihoods – meaningful change feels increasingly elusive. He attributes this to a collapse of civic and democratic institutions, overwhelmed by relentless corporate lobbying and influence.

Consider these points:

* Constant Corporate Pressure: Corporations operate 24/7 to expand their control over all levels of government – from local city councils to Congress.
* Massive Campaign Contributions: Financial contributions heavily influence political decisions.
* Lobbying Power: The pharmaceutical industry alone deploys approximately 400-500 lobbyists to Congress full-time.
* Lack of Constitutional Recognition: The Constitution focuses on “We the People,” not corporations or the political parties beholden to them.

This raises a critical question: why are we allowing corporations to control and rule us? Nader believes the answer lies in recognizing our collective power.

The Power of the People: A call to Civic Engagement

Nader emphasizes that we, the people, vastly outnumber these corporations. He believes that just 1% – roughly 2.5 million organized individuals across 435 congressional districts – can effectively challenge corporate dominance.

This isn’t a utopian dream. A woman in North Carolina, having lost her daughters due to defective truck designs, is already building a congressional watchdog group. Nader plans to feature her on his radio broadcast, showcasing a grassroots movement taking shape.

His latest book, civic Self-Respect, provides a roadmap for everyday citizens to integrate civic engagement into their lives. The book is structured around the roles we all play:

* I, the Citizen
* I, the Worker
* I, the Consumer Shopper
* I, the Taxpayer
* I, the Voter
* I, the Parent
* I, the Veteran

Nader encourages you to consider how you can add a “civic dimension” to each of these roles, daily.

Looking ahead: Reclaiming Our Democracy

The fight for corporate accountability is far from over. The 1999 WTO protests in Seattle, documented in films like WTO/99 and This is What Democracy Looks Like, demonstrated the power of collective action.

Nader’s message is clear: we have the power to reclaim our democracy, but it requires active participation, informed citizenry, and a renewed commitment to holding corporations accountable. It’s a call to action for you, the citizen, to embrace your civic self-respect