Ralph Nader appreciation thread.

[Old and In the Way]

63. Criticize away! Hey, I'm not happy with the accomplishments to date, either. The difference is,

I put the blame squarely on the American voter who elects him, then 2 years later decides they want to put a whole bunch of teabaggers in Congress and give Republicans control of the House and with enough opposition in the Senate to fillibuster everything. And the sad fact is nothing will change until they figure it out and start electing progressives/liberals to work in their best interests.

When are you guys going to admit that no Democrat or Independent President, no matter how liberal or progressive, will deliver the goods until there's a Congress on the same page? Presidents can set the vision, they can give the speeches and energize the base, but we're kidding ourselves if we think they can, by themselves, deliver on the promises. There was a brief moment of hope in 2008, but the Democrats couldn't capitalize (or, maybe, wouldn't capitalize) on the opening. We got a half baked healthcare bill and lost the PR war in the process. Then 2010 pretty much shut down the opportunity altogether. Until the American people start putting liberals/progressives in Congress, we're playing defense. Right now, defense is at least holding the WH and perhaps getting another nominee on the Court.

I'm from Maine. In 2010, 68% of the people voted for the independent candidate and the Democrat. Both would have been reasonably progressive people to replace John Baldacci, the Democrat. The end result? We got a teabagger elected with 38% of the vote. Obama is not the enemy and shooting holes in him is not going to solve the problem.