Reply #24: As someone who knocked on 21 thousand doors in 7 states to talk politics, I have to disagree [View All]

with your assumptions.

Americans do tend to describe themselves as moderate or conservative, yet when you ignore those labels and talk about issues, Americans are definitely liberal in solid majorities.

In terms of issues, Dennis Kucinich is right in line with most Americans on almost every issue.

The reason partisan Democrats often get so pissed at Nader is because they know that his critique of the two party system we currently "enjoy" is basically and fundamentally accurate. Since poll after poll demostrates that Americans do support liberal issues (such as the rule of law, universal access to healthcare, a democratic republic vs an empire, etc.") if someone were to actually analize the two party structure, one comes to the conclusion that it's the two party structure that is keeping these liberal issues from being enacted into law. Our two party system is a check on the will of the people and insures the policies of the elites are dominant.

They attack Nader to cover up the failings of the two party system. I find it interesting and ironic that some people who call themselves members of the Democratic Party are so upset when someone decides to exercise their democratic right to run for office.

The scapegoating goes far and away beyond differences of opinion on issues, or even personality preferences. It's a psychological defense mechanism in action to avoid serious examination of Nader's core message. It's "kill the messenger" in action.

Obviously, serious consideration of Nader's core message doesn't mean that then people will vote for him. Many people agree with Naders core message who won't cast a vote for him.

Hopefully people will at least begin to understand how and why the will of the people vis a vis issues are so completely and severly thrawted in our country.

It's true that there are some in the Democratic Party who could care less about issues; Their focus is party power (and in some cases personal power based on their relationship to the party) at the exclusion of all other considerations. These are the people I expect would avoid debating the message Nader delivers and instead opt to demonize the messenger.