MIKE STIVIC: Arch, you ought to be grateful for Ralph Nader. Do you realize that before 1968 there were hardly any cars recalled for being defective? But in 1972 there were nearly eight million cars recalled?
ARCHIE BUNKER: And do you realize that in 1974, who cares?
No surprise here, folks…Ralph Nader, the man with whom many Democrats still have a bone to pick from the 2000 election, is at it again: He’s making his third run for the White House.
The anger, of course, comes from the fact that he attracted 100,000 votes in Florida in 2000, and Al Gore lost that state by about 500 votes to George W. Bush.
But the consumer advocate has some tough talk for anyone who accuses him of spoiling anything:
“Political bigotry will be the label on anybody who uses the word ‘spoiler,’ he said. “Because ‘spoiler’ means minor candidates are second class citizens. Either we have an equal right to run for election, or we are spoilers for each other trying to get each other’s votes.”
Sorry to burst your bubble, Ralph, but it goes both ways. Anyone who meets the qualifications does indeed have an equal right to run for election. But at the same time, whenever you run for anything, you are trying to get the other candidate’s votes.
That’s sort of the object of the game, you know.
Welcome to Patrick’s Place, home of the Saturday Six and the Sunday Seven. Patrick is a television producer, writer, Mac lover, and Christian, though not necessarily in that order. He has a natural dislike of double standards and poor grammar.
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In my humble opinion, the two party system sucks. I honestly believe that we need more options. It can only help this country become greater than it already is if we had candidates who are forced to face the real issues.