About Ralph Nader
What would life be like in this country without Ralph Nader? Would all the people saved by seatbelts be around? Would our grandchildren be breathing in clean air, or carcinogens? Would renewable energy be the newest catchphrase, or accountable campaign promise? Fortunately, we don’t have to do any more than imagine the unimaginable, thanks to Ralph Nader.
Nader, America’s foremost "public citizen," has changed the face of big business – often dragging them, kicking and screaming, into the future – and as history has proven – ultimately, to their benefit. Like bad tasting medicine, Nader has sometimes had to force his remedies on corporate America for their own good, (and ours as well). For instance, Ralph actually managed to save GM despite itself by passing legislation which forced the auto industry to ignore the short-term cost and include seat belts as standard. By achieving this, not only did Nader help to save countless lives, he also helped save General Motors from certain lawsuit death – a story famously chronicled in his book, Unsafe at Any Speed.
Honored by The Atlantic magazine as "One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century," Ralph Nader continues to fight the good fight in government and in public opinion. Nader helped create the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Due to his zeal, we now have safer drinking water, cleaner air and freedom of information. His citizen groups such as the Public Interest Research Groups flourish on campus and the national stage, striving to protect the public and advance social justice.
Many of Nader's most significant triumphs, including consumer rights, open government and more humane business practices, are fully integrated into our lives. Among his victories are the ideas and commodities we now take for granted: seatbelts, air bags, crash-worthy cars, better labeling on food, lower levels of lead in the environment, smoking awareness, and healthier eating habits. His latest works, The Rebellious CEO, Twelve Leaders Who Did It Right, Breaking Through Power, and Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State, provide an overview of and solutions to the many problems confronting our society – citing examples from his books in which he de-constructs complex problems and illustrates solutions in very simple and effective language. Nader, along with Steve Skrovan and David Feldman, created a weekly podcast, Ralph Nader Radio Hour, where they discuss the latest news stories as well as interview some of the most influential voices in America.
In his presentations, Nader speaks from the heart with unmatched insider experience, confidence and candor. His speaking style has remained the same as his approach to all things – honest, informed and intimate. Listeners always feel comfortable voicing their concerns and raising questions on the difficult issues this country, and their community, are facing today, and heading into the future. His warnings of yesterday are the realities today, and now as a speaker, he still fights on our behalf – sustaining our country’s safe practices, exposing the unethical, and making sure that no matter what the issue, APB audiences are always the first to know.