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Kathryn Donahue's avatar

Yes, please have a complete program on listener questions. Count me in!

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Frances's avatar

Get money out of political campaigns , stop the genocide on Gaza , Booker stands up , next day he votes to continue arming Israel. Schumer it's time to retire. We are an orphaned party . Unclean hands everywhere

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Don Harris's avatar

It's get BIG money out of politics.

As long as the Dems are controlled by big money they will only provide empty promises and superficial opposition to the corporate agenda.

While it is important to demonstrate to show opposition we must also demand that all politicians run small donor campaigns and enforce this demand with our votes in 2026 or we will keep getting empty promises and superficial opposition to the corporate agenda.

When politicians take big money they tell us their promises are empty and they will only provide superficial opposition.

We need to tell them:

TAKE BIG MONEY -LOSE OUR VOTES.

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Mitch Ritter's avatar

Dismantling the obstructionist corporate-captured Duopoly (2-party Elite System that only represents fellow Elites) may look like a long-term project. It will be dirty and grimy work, like the grottiest of plumbing contract work, but it has got to be done. Who will rule, rather than represent US, will be the unsurprising outcome until we open up a Public Interest lane of competition in broadcast coverage of policy-making processes and holding elected reps accountable (politically) for policy outcomes. With online streaming and broadcast archiving this can be done on an open-access platform that is NOT PAY2PLAY, otherwise it excludes the Public Interest. Remember, an informed electorate is a pre-requisite to "participatory" democracy.

Remaking a non-corporate-captured mass media and Communications system that can be held accountable to serving the Public Interest rather than continuing to privilege the Private Interests at bidding auction over policy outcomes & funding sounds daunting and like a media takeover. What I mean is opening a parallel system to the US Mass Comm model of broadcasting that only envisions broadcasting as a carrier system for commercial sponsorship and advertising-driven and\or underwritten content.

Conveying these primarily Mass Comm truths and the de facto limitations on free and fair Public Campaign Access (that excludes a Pay2Play model that has been the US early 20th Century model) has been at the heart of Citizen Ralph Nader's message that I've now spent a political lifetime carrying and working to inject into a vein of Media Criticism that is virtually non-existent. Except in some marginal political parties that advocate Educational and\or Public Interest broadcasting models (as parallel systems, NOT replacements for current Weapons of Mass Distraction.

Trying to advance such alternative broadcasting system models to what is the early 20th Century US model of private sponsorship of all access to either the audio and\or televised broadcast content via FCC rules has been beyond the scope of Citizen Extraordinaire Nader's efforts. Lamentably, I suspect Ralph Nader understands that access to the broadcast systems is the actual rigging and censoring of that broadcast system so long as it is Pay2Play. Community access bands of broadcast spectrum that remain marginal is all the FCC has ever attempted.

Research the battle of using the airwaves to include Educational formats or Public Interest Policy Making and Policy Outcome assessment and reporting not to mention non-paid ACCESS to national U.S. mass media systems has been and remains a non-starter, except in the most token ways of providing an educational curriculum that cannot compete with the private sponsorship model of advertiser-driven broadcasting or advertiser-underwritten funding for such broadcasting.

Those who've tried such Public Interest Broadcasting models with no Pay2Play dynamic have met the fate of becoming at some loss of ability to continue housing, feeding and attaining medical care to advance such a mission Public Policy-wise....Ralph Nader has been more than deferential to the libertarian "hands-off" to advocacy of any alternative situation that calls for a non-Pay2Play access to parallel national broadcast systems.

Command Socialists and even small "d" social democrats to my knowledge have never organized to include such systemic change to US broadcast spectrum access. With the possible exception of the Berkeley-born and centered Pirate Radio efforts beginning back during the 1980's. Search online under:

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/49797032/liberating-the-commons-by-stephen-dunifer-free-radio-berkeley

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-05-mn-25691-story.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Dunifer

Discuss amongst US all....

Tio Mitchito

Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers

Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers)

Media Discussion List\Looksee

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Don Harris's avatar

So let's pay to play.

How about 1000 emails asking Ralph to start a non-profit media conglomerate selling shares for 100 dollars per share. Shares could only be owned by citizens and no one person can own more than 10 shares. Shares could only be sold for 100 dollars as the purpose of owning the shares is to own and control the media conglomerate- not to make money on the value of the shares. The conglomerate would be overseen by a board of people like Ralph.

Just 10% of the 150 million voters investing in one share would total 1.5 billion dollars to buy up/start up tv/radio/internet media and could be just the tip of the iceberg.

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Nancy's avatar

Thanks for mentioning Booker’s votes on funding the genocide. We need to let the party know early and often that we will not vote for supporters of genocide. This is on them, not us.

Ralph, can you schedule a program on Democratic support for the genocide and invite both critics of the policy and those who continue their support so we can have some accountability? Thanks if you can.

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sojpod's avatar

Toward the end of this week's episode, Ralph said that if 1,000 listeners emailed him saying they wanted a whole episode of listener questions, they'd do that. I'd like an episode of listener questions, but can't find Ralph's email address to let them know. I did use this sites "Contact" page (https://nader.org/contact/) to make my request and hope Ralph and the gang have a listener-questions-powered show.

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

You did it! ralphnaderradiohour.com We only ask that they be questions and not essays or op-eds. Like Jeopardy, put it in the from of a question. Thanks!

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sojpod's avatar

Thank you for the great news, Steve, I'm glad so many people responded! I'm looking forward to that (and all) upcoming episodes.

Thanks also to everyone involved for all the great shows and guests over the years..

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Don Harris's avatar

Ralph has done listener questions shows before without asking for 1000 emails.

As long as we are sending emails/contacting Ralph lets not settle for one show with short answers. Lets ask for one segment of listener questions every month with long answers. Then we wouldn't have to wait so long to get our questions addressed and would get complete answers.

And just to drive home the point use not only the contact on this website but send an actual email to info@csrl.org .

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spinbackwards's avatar

Yes

I also sent an email.

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lima baker's avatar

" For the love of money is the root of all evil." Audit/ end the Federal Reserve. https://doge-tracker.com/

Follow the $$$$ should be at the first item of interest for all Americans concerned, with all the deceptive misuse/ theft of our tax dollars by various entities, especially at the "local" level. One item of interest (not on DOGE radar) is the rampant nationwide real estate tax fraud that has been identified, with trillions of dollars being "pocketed" for years, by "local" tax appraisal district board entities, and other associated elected and unelected offices. Homeowners are loosing their homes as a result of this "created" greed and lawlessness. WE THE PEOPLE, are being "fleeced", with no sign of justice for the masses. All the while the bankster "sharks" continue to feed off the "created" $$$$ hemorrhage of this country.

A shocking cautionary historical recount:

2012 was a pivotal year for the European Union (EU) and hopefully the USA is NOT in line to fall victim, as the EU has, by the "banking cartels". Thank you for listening. Peace and prayers be with us all.

https://alexkrainer.substack.com/p/eu-living-in-the-bankstas-paradise

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TomL's avatar

Thanks for the program! I'm grateful for all the demonstrations throughout the US on today and regularly, we should have lists of demonstrations being held to oppose Trump in real time with meet up groups looking to stop his theft of our government and Republic.

The economic effects of the Trump tariffs have universally been decried by economists as unworkable and destructive; Galbraith said that the only way they could make them work would be with a top notch team dedicated to making tariffs just, with all types of incentives to get factories and other producers up and running in the US. We are bound to see some capitulation by a number of foreign countries but unlikely to amount to the level to stave off an economic calamity. Trump is looking to create chaos, he could start bombing Iran this spring with only chaos and calamity following. He wants emergencies and disasters to increase his powers. He is making so many people angry that he could be assassinated as Ray McGovern has said. As much as I'd like to see a resolution to the Ukraine-Russia war, Trump rarely does the hard work to resolve conflicts.

The Democrats appear to continue to be totally out of touch. Look at Congressman Himes response to my plea for diplomatic resolutions to the Ukraine war, also he's failed to call out the Israeli genocide and will always be a lapdog for them:

"Thank you for contacting me about Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. I appreciate your thoughts and am grateful that you took the time to reach out to me.

"More than three years after Russia launched its illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to stand resolute with the support of the United States and the free world. At every turn, they have defied the grim predictions of their imminent defeat and occupation, exacting devastating costs on Russia’s military and demonstrating extraordinary courage and patriotism—qualities that seem entirely foreign to President Trump. Instead of standing with democracy, Trump has chosen to align himself with authoritarian aggressors, fundamental American principles.

"The United States has led the world in providing Ukraine with military aid, advanced weaponry, economic assistance, and humanitarian support for refugees. Trump and his allies seek to cut off this lifeline—a betrayal that would damage America’s global standing and embolden our adversaries. Abandoning Ukraine at this critical moment would send a dangerous signal: the United States is no longer willing to stand up for freedom and democracy.

"While we must work toward ending this war, peace cannot come at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty or security. A just and lasting resolution must make clear that the global community will not tolerate the redrawing of borders through military aggression. I urge my Republican colleagues to reject Trump’s reckless and shortsighted stance—history will not look kindly on those who choose authoritarianism over principle. Make no mistake: Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are watching our every move.

"The pause in military aid and intelligence to Ukraine was unnecessary and unjust, but I am relieved that it was brief. Ukraine, which did not start this war, has shown good faith by agreeing to a ceasefire. The burden is now on Putin. I hope that Russia will likewise agree to a ceasefire, and the Administration should make crystal clear that if it does not, we will redouble our support to our Ukrainian partners. Defense of a rules-based international order from authoritarian assault demands nothing less.

"The United States has a clear moral obligation to stand with our NATO allies to provide Ukraine with the support needed to drive Russian forces out once and for all. As Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to continue to advance support for our ally to help Ukraine secure a decisive victory. Now is not the time for hesitation. Now is the time to stand with Ukraine—firmly, unapologetically, and until victory is won.

"Sincerely,"

The chasm between the Blue cult and the Red cult seems to be unbridgeable.

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7swordMary's avatar

WELCOME To “America” DC. For DECADES you CHOSE To SUSTAIN PREDATORY PROFITS off of ThePeoples Suffering versus ENDING this ANTI-Constitutional, ANTI-democracy, Corporate TotalitarianFascist, ECONOMIC APARTHEID.

Don’t be surprised NOW because you get called to account for THAT and you FAIL to win our Faith in your Virtue-Signaling “For Americans!” after FOUR DECADES of your feigned support, for this country’s Majority, amounting to nothing but HABITUAL, Voter-Manipulation Election Rhetoric.

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George J. Robinson's avatar

GJR.SacredCow.comment.re Gaza.4.5.RNRH.re DOGE

Ralph Nader has been forthright, speaking truth regardless of consequences. It's one reason he is so highly esteemed. However, despite his impassioned criticism of what the United States and Israel are doing to Palestinians in Gaza and his correctly impuning the Netanyahugovernment,

Congress, and the Biden and Trump administrations, curiously he has failed he has failed to ask a logical question, viz., why is the majority of American Jews silent?

True there are Jews for peace and reconciliation, but not nearly the majority, though surely a great number of whom know that what is happening to the Palestinians is in violation of their religious values, not to mention US and International Law.

Naturally, like many worldwide, the event of 10/7/23 was shocking and initially gained Israel sympathy, however certainly most Jews know that the Netanyahu government's response has been grossly disproportionate and therefore one would expect there would be large demonstrations on the part of American Jews forcing the hand of Netanyahu and our venal US government enablers to force Netanyahu to agree to peace, stop the settler movement in its tracks, and work toward implementation of the One orTwo StateSolution.

Ralph talks about the influence of APAC; well, besides some Evangelical Christians, who primarily funds AIPAC? American Jews. Yet we hear nothing from Ralph about the silent complicity of American Jews.

Is this a case of one sacred cow too far?

LIKE

REPLY

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George J. Robinson's avatar

I really appreciate In Case You Haven't Heard, however perhaps because I'm a septuagenarian Vietnam combat veteran whose service involved hand grenade- caused hearing loss I find the background "music"/droning making it difficult to concentrate and hear what Francisco is saying, and I think Ralph's audience contains a not insignificant number of listeners of mature years, even those not having been in combat, with age-related hearing loss (not to mention that I don't understand- What is the purpose of obfuscating with that noise anyway?)

Thank you for considering my concern and request that in future we'll have the pleasure of being able to enjoy and concentrate exclusively on Francisco's voice.

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

Noted. We will look into that.

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George J. Robinson's avatar

I think Ralph should avoid calling names Trump and Musk names, not because they're not creative, amusing, and apropos, or that I'm afraid of offending them, but because Trump is criticized - I think even at least once by Ralph - for, adolescent-like, making and calling people names so I think it's unseemly for someone of Ralph's stature and on behalf of his loyal followers, to do likewise.

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Selina Sweet's avatar

Where is the Bar Association? As far as Harvard’s administration lacking cojones…unsurprising no? Once corporatefied you care more about comfort, security and power than you care for any elevated values. Character, dignity, deeply principled, doing ‘right’ action pales to self advancement, playing it safe, staying acceptable to the Power Fraternity. Who in administrations loves the educative process and mission? Intuition suggests that we lost big when we stopped the draft. It separated people from their civic responsibility for monitoring the nation’s waywardness with war. A collective consciousness of death - our children, spouses, parents killed in action - has been eclipsed by corporate materialism. We no longer feel the nature of our government. Living with a keen awareness of death changes priorities. Sharpens appreciation of what really matters.

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m.mk's avatar

"We need to unlearn the weird idea that a draft is a tool of peace. Drafts facilitate wars. The warmongers want one. The Democrats want women forced to register. The Vietnam War not only persisted for many years during the draft, killing far more people than any U.S. war since, but also continued for two years after the draft ended. Yes, people opposed a war with a draft who say nothing about a proxy war or a drone war, but I’d like to use education and organizing to try to get them active before resorting to a tool that kills millions and risks apocalypse." https://davidswanson.org/war-and-murder-since-vietnam/

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Rita's avatar

Question: SAVE ACT was passed by US House of Representatives today. What will married women need to do to be able to vote? If we take husband's surname...that's a name change.

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Thomas Kreuder's avatar

Yes, to a listener-question program!

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Washington’s DC's avatar

MFFA. Make Failure, Failure Again. Let’s start with fascists calling themselves democrats and start electing authentic actual liberals again.

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Knight Templar's avatar

Social equity measures substantive due process, which is what all of these cases and experts are arguing about in non-specific terms.

Constitutional due process will be on software, with AI making the experience very user-friendly.

" Harvard Law School will become an irrelevancy. It will be a museum piece.

Bruce Fein "

** That's true, in fact all law schools will be reduced to 1 year memorizing procedures and learning what social equity is (won't be asked for rigor, that will be PhDs in Economics).

Any additional years in law schools will be very applied, just working one case after another.

Professors at law schools will be reclassified as Instructors and Facilitators at Law Schools.

There is no JD, just JM. Even Yale's PhD in Law program (started 2011) will have to change the legal theory approach, else it is still a JM.

Problems solved.

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