The Good Fight: Declare Your Independence and Close the Democracy Gap – Ralph Nader's Call for Stronger Civic Engagement and Political Action

by Ralph Nader

Straight talk about George W. Bush,corporate government, and the whole charade of presidential campaigning -- from the last honest man in American politics Ralph Nader -- brilliant visionary, relentless activist -- may be the most honest man left in politics. And yet his presidential campaigns have faced consistent opposition -- mainly from Democrats afraid that competition from an inspiring independent could dent their voting block. Now, in The Good Fight , Nader swings back harder than ever at those who "want to block the American people from having more voices and choices" and have lost touch with the concept that votes must be earned, not inherited or entitled. While taking on corporate-occupied Washington and the government's daily abuse of ordinary citizens, he urges a speedy return to stronger civic motivation. If fed-up citizens don't actively join the fight for better leadership, then ultimately we have no one to blame but ourselves for the inadequate checks on the erosion of our civil liberties. In an era when politicians sell us rhetoric and then sell out our principles, Nader stands as a crucial voice of candor. The Good Fight is a stirring response to politics as usual, one that will captivate readers of all political stripes and help us define what we must do to shape the brightest future for our nation.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Economics, Political Science

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

American attorney, author, lecturer, political activist, and candidate for President of the United States in five elections, including the last election 0f 2008, with his role in the 2000 election in particular being subject to much debate.

Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer rights, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government. Nader is the first Arab American presidential candidate in the U.S.

Reviews

[Phil Huckelberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's somewhat amusing - in a dark humor sort of way - that when I entered "the good fight" to get this book to come up, what also came up were books with the same name by Harry Reid and Peter Beinart. Someone might want to tell them that it's hard to fight the good fight when you're so busily selling out what you purport to believe in.

[Brian Melchers]

Warren Buffet said CEOs manufacture desired “earnings” when operational excellence isn’t enough to boost stock price. WTO rules override national laws / consumer protections. Globalization keeps wages low. Treaties requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate to pass. Trade agreements only need a simple majority. After a senator actually read through the WTO agreement, he was against it. NAFTA protects investors against government regulation. Someone died and left his wife with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

This book was written in 2004 and Ralph predicted a pandemic like the one we’re having in 2020. He also called out the problem of predatory lending that led to the financial crash of 2008.

Fighting global warming would hurt businesses and for this reason our government has been slow to tackle the problem. Businesses re-incorporate offshore for tax reasons, which, of course, cost the public

HIV/AIDS medication was expensive and monopolized before it was in India more cheaply.

Senator William Proxmire (D-Wisc.) was elected repeatedly without asking for any campaign contributions. He would a pay a few hundred dollars to return unsolicited donations to his campaign. “Of course, it helped that he would literally walk all over the state of Wisconsin, hold more hearings than almost anyone, listen to the people, watchdog government waste, and vote in a progressive manner.”

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nader’s so knowledgeable that he can speak in detail about a wide range of complex issues at a moments notice. You just can’t stump the guy. And if you know little to nothing about Nader (and this includes just about all of you … yeah I’m talking to you!), this is a good introduction to what he’s about. Nader’s main focus is major corporation’s exploitation of the US Tax payer. Examples …
Bristol-Meyers-Squibb charging $14K for Taxol (ovarian cancer treatment) even though it was created and developed with tax dollars at a National Institute of Health program
GE paying no taxes for three years, their savings $6 Billion. Oh did I mention that they got a refund of $125 Million.
Twenty-one people died from eating tainted Ball Park Frank hot dogs, Sarah Lee’s fine .. $200K. And that was in 2001.
U.S. laws that prohibit goods manufactured by child labor are illegal under the WTO.
Barrick Resources, a Canadian Company, recently got the rights to mine an area in Nevada that has an estimated deposit of $9 Billion in gold for a payment to the US Government of $30K.
And maybe it doesn’t have the comedy of Moore or Franken, but it is filled with the quest for justice and a lot more examples. (8/10)

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're interested in the facts, then this is the place to get them. Ralph Nader, consumer rights advocate, has extensive experience with businesses and the statistics concerning how they treat and use their American consumer base. Nader is passionate and informative and knows just how to get your ire up. I wanted to get involved with the process of change after I read this book.

Having said that, I sometimes felt swamped. At some points I wondered if he was repeating statistics or if I just couldn't keep my memory straight (It was most likely my memory).

You aren't going to learn anything about Ralph Nader in this book, you're going to get numbers and figures. If you want to understand the world of consumer and employee rights this is a great place to start.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

How's your civic life? This is the sourcebook for civil action - taking control of our lives. Taking control of what we eat, the public airwaves, commercialization of schools, advertising to children leading to obesity and diabetes, monopolization and overpricing of medicines developed and tested with public monies, our dependency on oil that supports overseas dictators, wars in our name, etc, all very clear issues that are somehow non-issues for the media, but clearly against the public interest.
The book is very informative, keeps a positive tone, but properly one of righteous outrage. There are dozens of book recommendations, studies and references to civic organizations. Let's get informed and organized. Time to fight the good fight.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. It really inspired me to become more educated and more civically involved. It inspired me all over again that one person can make a difference, and even a small group of people can change the world! It makes me want to take back my country, and be a full time citizen!

Vote your conscience!

[Ricky Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as soon as it came out. It did not add much to my knowledge about nader, but it did make me more aware of the hard fight against the man that has to be fought. I agree with Nader it is the Good Fight.

[Mark Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry, but that's how Ralph writes. A well rounded policy platform for the 2004 campaign, well argued and worth while.

[Father]

I bought this book last year when I heard Nader give a speach. He is great. Don't know why I haven't read it yet. Excuses, excuses. But I plan on getting to it soon.

[Nirzwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. Great ideas on how to improve your government and limiting corporate greed.

[Expose Austin Texas Duty To Care For Others · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research. Ralph Nader is inspirational.

[Timothy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

the greatest living American

[David Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book by this author I have read. I liked his common sense and insight. I always have. I recommend this book to every one.

[Josh Sawicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

still reading

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ralph Nader does a great job explaining issues with our government in a way that is easy to understand and not too dry. This book is a great critique of the Bush administration which is now a bit outdated but still holds true. Overall a good political read that inspires you to want to get more involved.