The Citizens’ Utility Board, or CUB, is a model approach for bringing together large numbers of diffuse consumers into a voluntary organization, which can then pursue a common citizen/consumer agenda in banking, insurance, housing or dozens of other arenas. I call it the “silicon chip” for the citizen movement because it is a low-cost, high … Read more
By Ralph Nader June 9, 2014 During a recent talk at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson indicated his support for legislation in Congress to raise the federal minimum wage. “I will tell you we will support legislation that moves forward,” he said. Later in the talk, Mr. Thompson continued, “McDonald’s will … Read more
Opening Remarks by Ralph Nader from CSRL on Vimeo. Civil Liberties from CSRL on Vimeo. Minimum Wage from CSRL on Vimeo. Wall Street Crime and Misdeeds from CSRL on Vimeo. Corporate Welfare from CSRL on Vimeo. Remarks from Grover Norquist from CSRL on Vimeo. Defense Budget from CSRL on Vimeo. Trade from CSRL on Vimeo. … Read more
News Release For Immediate Release: Monday, May 19, 2014 In his new book Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State Ralph Nader explores the emerging political alignment of the Left and the Right against converging corporate-government autocracy and crony capitalism. The next critical step in launching coalitions of change is to bring … Read more
By Ralph Nader Harry Truman once asked for a one-armed economist in the hopes of never again having to hear “on the one hand, this” and “on the other hand, that.” Given the recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on the effects of the minimum wage — one chock full of “on the other hands” … Read more
By Ralph Nader Imagine this metaphorical scenario. You are cruising along a highway and you are pulled over by a police officer. You’re not sure why you were stopped. The patrol officer approaches and gives the signal to roll down the window. You oblige. “How fast were you going?” the officer might ask after examining … Read more
By Ralph Nader When the news broke years ago that U.S. forces were using torture on prisoners at Guantanamo Bay detention camp, many politicians and the public expressed appropriate horror. There was shock and disappointment that our country would resort to such inhumane, abusive actions against our fellow human beings, most of whom then were … Read more
By Ralph Nader An epidemic of sky-rocketing medical costs has afflicted our country and grown to obscene proportions. Medical bills are bloated with waste, redundancy, profiteering, fraud and outrageous over-billing. Much is wrong with the process of pricing and providing health care. The latest in this medical cost saga comes from new data released last … Read more
By Ralph Nader Earlier this month, a delegation of activists took to Capitol Hill to demand a decrease in the massive, out-of-control military budget. As millions of Americans struggle with inadequate health care, low wages, deteriorating public services and uncertainty about their futures as the wage gap between the wealthy elite and the working poor … Read more
By Ralph Nader In the age of the internet, smartphones and 24/7 media encapsulating so many Americans’ time, talents and interests, it is quite refreshing (and rare!) to come across those who are deeply interested and invested in their own states, towns and communities. There is much to be learned about the places we call … Read more
By Ralph Nader Nelson Mandela’s exceptional and exemplary life will produce worldwide celebrations of his extremely unique blend of character, personality and resolve for broad-gauged justice for generations to come. To truly memorialize his contributions, however, requires grand actions. As leaders of governments and human rights groups from all over the world prepare to attend … Read more