Americans feel they’re losing control of their government, their lives, and their children – and need to become more civically engaged to combat corporate influence of government. That was the message consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader brought to Peru State College Monday night.
During his hour-and-a-half long presentation, Nader criticized U.S. foreign and domestic policy. He said U.S. foreign policy is increasingly militarized, and he said that a small number of large corporations have undue influence on the political process.
To combat that influence, Nader says students need to become involved in their communities and the political process. (play audio :47)
Nader challenged schools to help in the effort. He said colleges should offer a “civics skills” course, and a course called Congress 101 – to study the actions of current members of Congress. That’s something he says would be easy to do. (play audio :53)
Ralph Nader’s first foray into public life came when he took on the automobile industry in his 1965 book “Unsafe at Any Speed.” He’s formed several citizen groups over the years, including the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, the Pension Rights Center, the National Coalition for Universities in the Public Interest, and the student Public Interest Research Groups. He says his message resonates with people across the political spectrum. (play audio :30)
Nader was the final speaker in the college’s 2011-2012 Distinguished Speaker Series. He replaced Anthony Shadid on the Distinguished Speaker Series. Shadid was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who died suddenly while on assignment in Syria. Nader is a friend of the Shadid family. He began his remarks with a tribute to Anthony Shadid, calling him the greatest foreign correspondent of his generation.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
One held for past Atchison shooting
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
LATEST STORIES
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
Hazard mitigation planning meeting set for Atchison County MO
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
SE Nebraska March unemployment report
Falls City Career Academy to open during 24-25 school year
Denim Day declared for Nebraska state colleges
RELATED STORIES
Former Peru State College president dies
Grant Awarded For Project Involving Peru State Professors
All College Reunion at Peru State
Peru State Not Liable For Student Disappearance
Gov. Ricketts to Speak at Peru State Commencement
Ribbon Cut on New Peru State Facility
Peru State College To Host Job Fair
Olympic Gold Medalist to Speak At Peru State