An Unreasonable Man is a great movie about Ralph Nader. But I was deeply disappointed by the fact that it focused deeply on how Ralph’s “spoiler” role in the 2000 election tarnished his legacy, while failing to mention the flaws in our election system that unnecessarily allow for “spoilers” to exist. Instant Runoff Voting, which I helped pass in Ferndale, Michigan in 2004, is a pivotal measure that can open up a fair playing field to more voices in our political system by eliminating the “spoiler” problem.

In this post, I call on Ralph Nader, the filmmakers of An Unreasonable Man, Nader’s supporters and detractors, and everyone interviewed in the film, to join together to promote such election reform and groups like Fairvote that advocate for them. By refocusing our discussion and energy away from the flaws of Ralph Nader or the Democratic Party and onto these reforms, we can still turn the shameful aftermath of the 2000 election into a success that brings constructive change and lasting justice to our election system.

Conclusion (Part 8 of 8) Note: This is Part 8 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents. There are tremendous challenges in our world today. Michael Moore’s films have been some of the most powerful channels through which many of us have […]

Campaign, Election and Media Reform as Central Themes in Michael Moore’s Work (Part 6 of 8) Note: This is Part 6 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents. While none of Michael Moore’s films focus primarily on campaign, election and media reform, […]

Moral Courage as a Central Theme in Michael Moore’s Work and Life (Part 4 of 8) Note: This is Part 4 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents. I believe, and seeing Sicko again reinforced, that Michael Moore is one of our […]

Introduction (Part 2 of 8) Note: This is Part 2 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.   Sicko and Beyond: New Inspiration from Michael Moore Two weeks ago, I finally saw Michael Moore’s new movie about the health care industry, Sicko. […]

In his previous films, Michael Moore opened minds regarding injustices in deeply emotional areas including corporate responsibility, gun violence, 9/11 and the Iraq War. In Sicko, and his related appearances, he has pursued change in the American health care system. But Moore’s work and life embody two underappreciated themes even more central to social change in America – moral courage and campaign, election and media reform. In this eight-part series of posts, I explore the importance of these intertwined themes and their relation to Michael Moore. I then propose a formula for focusing influential individuals and organizations on these core leverage points to stimulate fundamental, sustainable sociopolitical reform in America.