2008 Woodie Awards
Third part candidate Ralph Nader speaks at University of Pittsburgh
Katelyn Malongowski
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: News
Last update: 9/25/08 at 12:03 AM EST
Although the buzz seems to surround Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, there are some third party candidates running. These candidates, like Ralph Nader, spend much of their time, money and energy to get their name on the presidential ballot.
But when Nader spoke in an auditorium of 500 at the University of Pittsburgh Wednesday evening, his primary goal wasn't to get votes.
Nader said he would appreciate votes, but what he really wants to do is "put fire in your belly."
Between Obama and McCain, he questioned if there would be any change with either one getting the presidency. He said new levels of absurdity have been reached when news concerning the election include the now famous "lipstick on a pig" phrase or when Obama selectively wears his flag pin.
"Nixon looks better every year," he said, and a roar of laughter from the audience followed.
Nader explained that personal freedom is not the same as civic freedom. Being civic is being involved within communities. Just as a chemistry major has a laboratory to study and thrive in, a social science major has a community for a laboratory.
He quoted the ancient Roman orator Cicero in saying, "Freedom is participation in power."
But unfortunately, Americans don't have the same level of civic pride as they do corporate pride.
"We don't grow up civic; we grow up corporate," he said.
Americans are bombarded with advertisements from childhood to adulthood. It ultimately has an effect on people-it leads to "voter apathy," he said.
The president and congress are currently debating to save Wall Street with a $700 billion check, said Titus North, who is a Pitt professor and the Green Party candidate in the 14th Congressional district.
He compared the amount to the $1.4 billion going to renewable energy and energy efficiencies.
"It's 500 times as important to them to bail out the people who wrecked our economy than it is to save our environment," North said.
All in all, if Americans want to change the country, Nader said there has to be more time and energy spent in civic responsibilities. With that experience, working people can take more control, and therefore find a balance between the few who run the country with power and money.
"Real human beings are the only ones that should be given constitutional rights," Nader said. "Not corporate companies."
But when Nader spoke in an auditorium of 500 at the University of Pittsburgh Wednesday evening, his primary goal wasn't to get votes.
Nader said he would appreciate votes, but what he really wants to do is "put fire in your belly."
Between Obama and McCain, he questioned if there would be any change with either one getting the presidency. He said new levels of absurdity have been reached when news concerning the election include the now famous "lipstick on a pig" phrase or when Obama selectively wears his flag pin.
"Nixon looks better every year," he said, and a roar of laughter from the audience followed.
Nader explained that personal freedom is not the same as civic freedom. Being civic is being involved within communities. Just as a chemistry major has a laboratory to study and thrive in, a social science major has a community for a laboratory.
He quoted the ancient Roman orator Cicero in saying, "Freedom is participation in power."
But unfortunately, Americans don't have the same level of civic pride as they do corporate pride.
"We don't grow up civic; we grow up corporate," he said.
Americans are bombarded with advertisements from childhood to adulthood. It ultimately has an effect on people-it leads to "voter apathy," he said.
The president and congress are currently debating to save Wall Street with a $700 billion check, said Titus North, who is a Pitt professor and the Green Party candidate in the 14th Congressional district.
He compared the amount to the $1.4 billion going to renewable energy and energy efficiencies.
"It's 500 times as important to them to bail out the people who wrecked our economy than it is to save our environment," North said.
All in all, if Americans want to change the country, Nader said there has to be more time and energy spent in civic responsibilities. With that experience, working people can take more control, and therefore find a balance between the few who run the country with power and money.
"Real human beings are the only ones that should be given constitutional rights," Nader said. "Not corporate companies."
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