Who is the leader of the pack... or should be?

In the realm of ideas and politics, there are many ideas and much politics
bandied about on all sides in every subject imaginable. One of the most
significant and controversial areas is the realm of environmental awareness and
clean-up. One man stands head and shoulders above all others in this field,
having tirelessly campaigned – literally – for the health and safety of people
everywhere.

Ralph Nader is that man. For over 40 years, he has publically spoken and written
against big business' practice of environmental pollution and on behalf of the
public good. In fact, one reason that cars are safer, with such innovative ideas
as anti-lock brakes and airbags stem directly from Nader's efforts to make cars,
the ultimate ubiquitous tool, as safe as possible, given that manufacturers just
want to give people a moving vehicle as cheaply as possible (Langer, 1966).
Nader's efforts and his lobbying of Washington bureaucrats helped to pass the
1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
As one may notice from news reports, Nader has done more.

He pushed for the passage of the 1967 Wholesome Meat Act, which improved the
criteria for inspecting cleanliness at slaughterhouses. He has also founded
several nation-wide organizations that fight for the public's best interest,
such as the Public Interest Research Group (CalPirg is the California Branch),
the Center for Justice and Democracy and the Resource Consumption Alliance
(preserving trees is their mission). Additionally, the Center for Study of
Responsive Law (CSRL), a non-profit organization run university and law
students. known as "Nader's Raiders", study problems and publish reports on many
consumer issues.

So passionate is Nader about helping others, he has never married. Instead, he
has thrown his efforts into a career to benefit mankind. To this end, he has run
for president as the Green Party candidate several times, including 1996, 2000
and 2008. Almost 76, Nader looks little different from when he was 40, both in
appearance and zeal. One can hope that Nader's labors continue to improve
ordinary life for all Americans for years to come. Perhaps, someday, there will
be little need for such ardent finger-pointing, but for now, I am grateful that
Ralph Nader has tried so hard, for so many, for so long.


Langer, E. Auto Safety: Nader vs. General Motors. Science 152(3718), 47-50.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1718765.

Mashawt, J. L. & Harfst, D. L. (1990) The struggle for auto safety. Cambridge,
Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/18223/Ralph-Nader.html