Yesterday, Ralph Nader announced that he will once again run for president. In explaining his reasons for running, he gave his usual litany of stances on a number of issues with which, in great part, I can’t argue. He summarizes these positions in this table on the Issues section of his campaign website detailing the solutions that he has “on the […]

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.

In just the latest demonstration of how widespread video and web 2.0 technology is democratizing our media and revealing previously underexposed sides of our culture, much of the country has already seen footage of student Andrew Meyer being held down and tasered by police after rather angrily confronting Senator John Kerry with some controversial questions at a forum and resisting arrest. But more fascinating to me than the event itself have been the strongly emotional responses, both by those defending Meyer and those defending the police, which indicate the extent to which the incident evokes, for many of us, past experiences, defense mechanisms and projections revolving around issues of power, anger and authority. In this post, I discuss my view of this controversial story in the context of our current social state and the possible psychological and developmental roots of the actions of Andrew Meyer and the police, as well as people’s various responses.

Scheming – or creating schemas – helps us shape a clear understanding of how the various parts of systems relate and connect. It then empowers application through developing strategic, intriguing, and often subversive plans to create innovative change in the world – for better or for worse. After a period of undefined frustration, a discussion with a friend helped me pinpoint my recent lack of partners with whom to co-scheme as the root of my dissatisfaction.

In this post, I discuss what scheming means to me and its central role in my worldview and throughout my life in areas ranging from math, medicine and sports to relationships, politics and business. I explore key examples of special shared moments, evolutionary factors and enviably successful teams that explain the excitement and rewards of co-scheming. And, in the service of initiating connection and dialogue with dynamic new “partners in crime,” I describe the similar and complementary assets and qualities that I and they would ideally bring to such an emergent and generative partnership. Read my thoughts on the process and goals of co-scheming at its best and consider whether you might be one of the fellow co-schemers I’m looking for.

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 […]

A Formula for Fundamental, Sustainable Political and Social Change in America (Part 7 of 8) Note: This is Part 7 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.   The Inseparable Roles of Moral Courage and Campaign, Election and Media Reforms in Fundamental […]

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, […]

Campaign, Election and Media Reform: Levers and Leverage Points for Improving Our Society (Part 5 of 8) Note: This is Part 5 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.   Moral Courage Alone Isn’t Enough Clearly, moral courage, as discussed in Part […]

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 […]

Moral Courage: A Required Virtue for Improving Our Society (Part 3 of 8) Note: This is Part 3 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.   Psychological Dissonance: The Cost of Keeping Quiet In our society, we have a great number of […]