"So the first step in civic self-respect is just to get people to say, I count, I matter, I have significance.
And how do you get them to say that?
Look at history. Why do you think Richard Nixon, arch-conservative corporatist, when he was president, signed into law the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration? He signed into law the Product Safety Commission. He put in an environmental advisor in the White House that Congress wanted him to do. He signed the air and water pollution laws, except the water pollution law he vetoed.
But why did he do all that? Because he heard the rumble from the people coming out of the ’60s. He was the last Republican to fear liberals. He heard the rumble, and every citizen can contribute to that rumble. When these politicians come around during their campaign and shake hands, [people] can contribute by not being flattered by them and smiling. They can demand something. They can hold their hand in a handshake until they get a commitment. They can summon them to their own town meetings. We even have a summons where people can turn it around instead of the Senator or Representative choreographing it.
So that’s what you’re seeing around the country right now. You’re seeing the rumble starting to increase, and you’re seeing young challengers of democratic, corporate incumbents in primaries. You’re seeing that."
https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ralph-nader-on
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