Focus on Nader’s message, not the circumstances around him
October 18, 2004
Unfortunately, the Sept. 12 article on Nader’s speech discussed his ballot status, but… Unfortunately, the Sept. 12 article on Nader’s speech discussed his ballot status, but missed the speech and downplayed his broader significance. Nader’s strongest point was that there is no “popular rule” because two parties — representing corporations, not people — control elections. “Bush is really a corporation posing as a human being,” Nader said. “He has made so many horrible mistakes that Kerry should be wiping this guy out. Instead, he adopted his platforms.”
Consequently, without multiple alternatives, multiple voter turnout does not occur. The Pitt News should mention that Nader alone opposes the war and draft, while both Bush and Kerry endorse greater commitments to win. Following words with action, Nader attended the nurses’ strike at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Because WPIC belongs to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the nurses’ welfare is our concern as well as Nader’s — meriting additional Pitt News attention. Your article did say that the nurses receive comparatively very low wages.
A powerful workers’ stance you could have noted was the nurses’ unity in voting 97 percent in favor of a necessary strike.
Voter turnout would be impressive if the media gave Nader their rightful press. Thank you.
Hal Smith
CAS Senior
Russian Studies Major