Life is a Gamble?

Yet you may define the odds. L.E. typically does not involve himself with discussing tawdry political matters. However, after watching today's "Meet the Press" which featured an announcement by Ralph Nader that he will run for our Presidency and a frank discussion regarding our Nation's problems, L.E. would be doing you a dis-service should he not make comment.

L.E. opines that Mr. Nader's announcement is the single most memorable event of this campaign season. L.E. is dismayed, flabbergasted and chagrined that members of his family and his closest friend conclude that Ralph is "the Spoiler" and caused Al Gore to lose to G.W. Bush. They use this misconception to continue a "lesser of two evils" voting strategy. L.E. concludes that the facts show otherwise and that such strategy is seriously flawed.

While both donkeys and elephants (but never L.E. Fant) remain blinkered and manipulated by the so-called two party system (and, therefore, corporations)which has established itself in North America, we may not realize our full potential. It is apparent to most that mega corporations and their lobbyists operate at the highest levels of our government, apparently working for the best interests of the mega corporations (now provided with rights of real persons) rather than you or I.

This young Nation is in a minority in this regard. Most Western nations have a political system where minority parties exist, perhaps without expectation of achieving total power, yet willing to form coalitions which allow their platforms to have say in the greater scheme of things (see what is now occuring in Pakistan). This allows discussion of issues rather than acceptance of jingoistics such as "if you want oil to heat your aging relatives during the ravages of winter-then we must fight for our rights to obtain such oil by warring with terrorists to protect our freedoms." Our current policies have, in L.E.'s opinion, caused Russia to re-start an arms race rather than suffer ignominy within its geographical neighborhood.

Mr. Obama calls for change (as did G.W. Bush). We cannot, however, be sure of what change he may bring. As Mr. Nader pointed out today Obama, now running for the Presidency, has apparently changed his position regarding Palestine. Previously he supported the rights of Palestinians, especially the 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza (who are apparently being decimated in a ratio of 30 Gaza residents to 1 Israeli), now he supports the Israeli position as does Ms. Clinton, et al.

As previously discussed Mr. Nader has fought for and achieved very important changes for us such as Clean Water, Auto Safety, O.S.H.A., Airline Passenger Bill of Rights and many, many more landmark issues.
The other candidates have no such record.

A fine example of the ineffectiveness of the two party system is that for over 50 years the Nation has attempted to provide its citizens (as does most of the civilized world) with universal health care-yet still none exists. Ask yourself why? Is it perhaps due to the strenuous efforts of corporate lobbyists who are striving for even greater corporate profits rather than acknowledging the needs of actual human beings who reside in this Nation? See the health care system of our neighbor Costa Rica whose inhabitants enjoy excellent universal health care even though it is a tiny nation (albeit without a huge military budget).

Mr. Nader urges us to take back our Nation from the corporations. He suggests this may occur if we form groups of one thousand folks in each state who organise and systematically demand accountability form our officials. Clearly the status quo is not working for us. We need to get more involved for our own sakes and for our children and our grandchildren.

Please at least visit https://www.votenader.org/ to see for yourself how you may make an important difference to your future.
See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrIqVGL0g4