Ralph Nader Overview
Universal Health Care
-expresses the need to get insurance companies out of administering health care
-increase patient choice
-expand coverage
-create a single-payer program that provides full, quality care and cost controls to all American’s for life.
Electoral Reform
-major electoral reforms are needed
-instant run-off voting
-none-of the above options on the ballot
-proportional representation
-redistricting to lessen the risk of one-party districts
-non-major party candidates have a chance to run for office and participate in debates.
-elections publicly funded
Corporate Crime and Abuse
-resources need to be available to prosecute and convict corporate wrongdoers
-give shareholders real power over their investment
-pay back unlawful gains
-pull back executive pay
-enact corporate sunshine laws
Fair Tax
-taxes are skewed in favor of the wealthy and the corporations
-tax the wealthy more fairly and proportionally
-overall corporate taxes have declined over the last fifty years despite record high profits
-taxes should be higher on addictive industries (alcohol and tobacco,) pollution, speculation, gambling, and extreme luxuries rather than on necessities such as food, furniture, clothing or books.
-taxes on stocks, bonds, and derivative transactions can displace some of the money that previously came from taxes on work and necessities.
-believes that taxes should not be lower on “unearned income” (capital gains, interest, inheritances, dividends) than on active work.
Media
-expresses the need to free the media from corporations, big-money politics, and bias
-requires real finance reform, meaning public finance for public elections
-some free access to ballot qualified candidates on television/radio
-stern anti-trust regulations and enforcement
-ending broadcasters’ ability to freely use public airwaves
-The point is to “establish audience controlled radio and TV networks to ensure the diversity of voices and solutions necessary for a really free press and a true civic democracy.”
Agriculture
-feels that family farms are being destroyed by the low prices and limited market access due to big business
-there is a growing consumer awareness and demand for healthy, fresh, and more nutritious food, allowing a chance for more sustainable agriculture production
-reworking of governmental policy to provide research and insure open and competitive markets for independent farmers.
-prevent pollution and destroying of natural resources
Destruction of Poverty
-7 point plan:
-truly progressive taxation
-ending corporate subsidies and military budget waste
-job creation
-equal pay for woman
-child-care
-living wages for all workers
-restore the critical social safety net
Creation of More Jobs
-by creating a new renewable energy solution
-fully funding education
-offer preventive health care
-investment in labor-intensive public works
Expand Workers Rights
-believes workers need a living wage-not a minimum wage
-access to health care and prevention of corporate reduction of medical benefits to retirees
-repeal the Taft-Hartley Act that makes it difficult for employees to organize unions
Restore Retirement Security
-Supports the Ad Hoc Coalition to restore retirement security:
-require companies to follow through on their pension promises by giving employees the choice of receiving the agreed plan or one under the companies new rules
-prevent companies from not paying pensions to employees if their division is sold
-stop companies from breaking pension promises to older employees by reclassifying them
-bring an end to companies changing the rules after people have retired
-prevent companies from misleading employees about the value of their companies stock
Fair Trade
-open agreements that promotes environmental, labor, and consumer standards over commercial trade.
-trade policies must be open
Federal Budget Reform
-a budget that adequately funds things like infrastructure, schools, clinics, libraries, forests, parks, sustainable energy, and pollution controls, instead of unnecessary military funding
Reform Corporate “Personage” Rights
-reversal of Supreme Court Case Santa Clara vs. Southern Pacific Railroad that first awarded a corporations the same rights as humans
Universal Education
-keep undermining influences out of public schools
-such as commercialism
-government must not put such a high emphasis on standardized tests
-undermines the entire curriculum and has a negative impact on students
-government should encourage schools to use civic experience and the outside world in connection with what is taught in the classroom
Iraq
-opposed to the invasion and presence in Iraq quickly
-replace US forces with UN peacekeeping forces
-prompt supervised elections
-humanitarian assistance
-the occupation of Iraq risks further upheavals
-the $155 billion that has been spent in Iraq could have been spent on infrastructure, schools, and health care in the US
Civil Rights of Muslim and Arab Americans
-stop unlawful prosecution of Muslim and Arab Americas without the access to lawyers, family members, and information on the charges against them
-stop incidents of physical abuse
-stop law enforcement bias against Muslim and Arab Americans
-end Racial Profiling Act
-restore constitutional protections in government investigations
-Congressional hearings on post 9/11 rules and procedures enacted by the Bush Administration
-oppose the extension of the USA Patriot Act
-reinstate the “Fairness Doctrine” that attempts to make coverage on public issues balanced and fair
Civil Liberties
-supports restoration of civil liberties
-repeal of the Patriot Act
-seeks to expand civil liberties to include:
-basic human rights in employment
-truly equal rights regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or religion
Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians
-feels adults should be treated equally under the law in marriage
-believes that love and commitment should be encouraged
-thinks civil unions are a step in the right direction but do not give equal rights
-civil unions are only recognized in states where it occurs
-amendments should be used to extend rights and liberties, not restrict them
-Bush’s proposed amendment would single out one class for discrimination
End the War on Drugs
-believes drug abuse is a health problem
-solutions are public health, social services, economic development, and supportive time with addicts
-thinks bringing illegal drugs within the law by regulating and controlling them will help the problem
-feels this will reduce street crime, violence, and homicides relating to drug dealing
Environmental Policy
-toxic standards need to be strengthened
-Standards need to be designed for children instead of adults
-believes environmental protection needs to be a priority for energy, trade, industrial, agricultural, transportation, development and land use policies
Energy Policy
-investment in renewable energy sources like wind, solar power, more efficient automobiles, homes, and businesses
-will create more jobs, more efficiency, great security (non-reliance on Middle Eastern oil,) environmental protection, and increased health
Consumer Justice
-enforcement of consumer protection laws
-more civil action rights to pursue in court both economic grievances and wrongful injuries
Increasing Motor Vehicle Safety
-believes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has moved away from its original purpose into more of a consulting agency
-feels existing standards must be updated
-increase standards in stability, side impact, rollover standards, improved braking system on heavier trucks, and fuel inefficiencies
-larger budget for research
World Peace and Justice
-must redefine elements of global security, peace, arms control, nuclear weapons, and global diseases (AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and virulent flu epidemics)
-help other countries with public health measures like drinking water, tobacco control, stemming soil erosion, deforestation, misuse of chemicals, international labor standards, stimulating democratic institutions, agriculture, transportation, housing, and renewable energy
Lowering the Voting Age
-recognizes that 16 year olds work, pay taxes, and are subjected to prosecution as adults
-could increase voter participation
-favors increased instruction in school about government and the importance of voting
Equal Rights for Woman
-endorses agenda for the complete economic, social, and political rights of women, put forth by the National Organization for Women
