Now usually I avoid political discussion on my blog, mainly because it ages so quickly and political commentary is no doubt not what readers of this page are really looking for. But regardless, I felt compelled to write on this subject.

First off I shoud say that I like Nader. A lot. He’s a great American and has done more for consumers (read: citizens) than any elected official I can think of in recent history. Thanks to him we have proper nutritional labels on our food, seat belts and airbags in our cars, and a population that has started to care about our environment. Even Obama called him “heroic.” I also dismiss the idea that he cost Al Gore Florida in his run against Bush back in 2000. The facts of the matter are that 1) Every single third party candidate had enough votes to fill the gap between Gore and Bush 2) According to exit polls most people that voted for Nader in Florida wouldn’t have voted otherwise and 3) Voters vote (or at least should) based on who they think would do the best things for the country. If the Democrats couldn’t convince the public that they were the best ones for the job, that’s their fault for not running on the right platform.

Additionally in 2004 Nader even gave John Kerry advice as how Kerry could have beaten Bush, as he should have, easily. Kerry ignored the advice to take stronger stands on issues that would have separated himself more from Bush and instead played nice. Bush put Kerry on the defensive, and Kerry never recovered. He spent his entire run defending his past instead of talking about issues, and Bush coasted into a win.

That being said, I wish Nader wouldn’t run this year. His last campaigns have clearly shown that our two party system is broken and disgusting. If you’re not tied to one of those parties, you will be forcibly kept out of debates, ignored by the media unless they’re scorning or demonizing you, and you will be slandared. American “democracy” is, in its current state, a joke. That point has been made, and is there for anyone for anyone who cares enough to see. Why try and make the point again? It’s a losing battle, and there are far to many other, better ways for him to be spending his time.

Writing books, touring his lectures, and once again becoming the figurehead for consumer advocacy would do better for the American people than wasting time running a campaign that simply can not be won because of our current electoral system. He’s smart, connected, aware, and undeniaby determined. Put it to good use, Nader. Don’t keep wasting precious time playing in broken game.

Even with all that talk, if come November the ballot reads Clinton vs. McCain, Nader will get a vote from me.