Nader office shuts down as workers seek pay (Philadelphia)

[enough]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9288457.htm

Posted on Sat, Jul. 31, 2004

Nader office shuts down as workers seek pay

Petition circulators demanded payment for signatures collected. A campaign employee said the scene smacked of dirty politics.
By Michael Currie Schaffer
Inquirer Staff Writer


Ralph Nader's presidential campaign this week abruptly abandoned the Center City office that housed its efforts to get on the Pennsylvania ballot, leaving behind a mess of accusations and a damaged building.

The office, on the 1500 block of Chestnut Street, was emptied Thursday after a raucous scene the night before. Police were called as dozens of homeless people lined up to collect money they said they were owed for circulating petitions on the candidate's behalf.

Many of the circulators were never paid, according to outreach workers and interviews with several men who had collected signatures.

"A lot of us were scammed," said Ed Seip, 52, who said he collected more than 200 signatures for Nader.

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[KansDem]

1. "A lot of us were scammed..."

Tell me about it!

I've felt that way for the last four years! :mad:

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Way to Go Ralph

He can't even run a campaign. How the hell does he expect to be able to run a country?

[Zynx]

3. Ralph would be an awful president. Absolutely awful.

People should not even consider voting for someone unless they believe they can be president. They should not vote just for the sake of protest. Voting is a serious matter.

[Hidebo]

4. this story tells a lot about the guy

he is scum after all.
it's all about money.

[abrownz]

5. Anyone See Maher last night plead to nader..

Not to run for president.

[buff2]

6. I saw it.........LOL

Moore and Mahar got down on their knees and begged him....I cracked up laughing. I'll bet Nader will end up dropping out before long.He acts like a real nutcase IMHO. Welcome to DU! :hi:

[molly]

14. No, but I think the only way he won't run

is if he is forced out. :grr:

Welcome to DU!!! :hi:

[buff2]

7. I think so too

It seems to me he runs every 4 years to collect enough money to live on until the next 4 years.......LOL Welcome to DU! :hi:

[ContraBass Black]

8. It's a Good thing he's not a Democrat

Because if he were, this would be front-page news.

[nolabels]

9. Will they now be singing Elton John's tune "Philadelphia Freedom"

Remember Janis Joplin sang "Freedom just another word, for nothin' left to loose"

Me and Bobby McGee

Janis Joplin

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train,
Feeling nearly faded as my jeans,
Bobby flagged a diesel down, just before it rained,
Took us all the way to New Orleans.

I took my harp on out of my dirty red bandanna,
I was blowin' sad while Bobby sang the blues,
With them windshield wipers slappin' time, Bobby clappin' hands,
We sang every song that driver knew.

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do.
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free.
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues.
Feelin' good was good enough for me, good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun,
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul,
Standing right beside me, Lord, in everything I done,
Bobby's body kept me from the cold.

Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away,
Lookin' for that home, I hope she finds,
And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Holding Bobby's body close to mine.

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose.
Nothin' was all she left for me.
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues.
Feelin' good was good enough for me, good enough for me and Bobby McGee.
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do.
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free.
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues.
Feelin' good was good enough for me, good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

http://www.bluesforpeace.com/lyrics/bobby-mcgee.htm

[BiggJawn]

10. So why did they think they'd be treated diferently from the "Raiders"?

They get paid once in a while, too, and not very much even then, from what I've read.

Guess they say "Well, at least I don't have to wear a paper hat to make $5 an hour...I know other MA's who do..." (the "Raiders")

This is a re-occuring theme with Sir Ralph, isn't it? Work your ass off 70 hours a week and get your lights shut off at home and go hungry...

[farmbo]

11. Don't worry...the check from the GOP will clear next Monday

eom

[DainBramaged]

24. How come Nader is on the ballot in NJ

And why hasn't he been challenged there. We have until Monday.

[Robbien]

25. He was challenged there

the judge ruled in Nader's favor.
:shrug:

[KansDem]

12. self-deleted post

Someone else already beat me to the punchline!

[iconoclastic cat]

13. So, Ralph, was the temptation to take advantage of the poor too great?

You couldn't actually help the homeless of Center City, could you---no, you took the signatures and ran. That is pathetic and foul.

[barbaraann]

15. My experience with trying to volunteer for a Nader organization:

A few years ago I called up a Nader organization numerous times to try to volunteer and the person I was supposed to talk to NEVER called me back and I never could get anyone to talk to me about volunteering. It was very weird. It was like it was some kind of closed, secret club and they simply did not want any outsiders anywhere close to them.

[gratuitous]

16. Those goddam Democrats!

They're not donating enough money to Ralph, so he can't pay his workers, although they should just be doing it for the love of Dear Candidate Ralph, but he can't pay them because the Democrats have mounted a concerted conspiratorial campaign to not give him any money this time around, and they're subverting the law by withholding their money, so it's . . . (all together now, kids)

ALL THE DEMOCRATS' FAULT!

Seriously, Ralph. Seek help.

[Krupskaya]

17. Not the first time.

He's a union-busting, selfish, control-freak ass.

[King of New Orleans]

18. Nader stealing from the poor?

Young children, hold onto your lolipops tight or C. Montgomery Nader might take those too.

[AlFrankenFan]

19. "A campaign employee said the scene smacked of dirty politics."

Damn friggin' straight.

I am so mad that I ever felt sorry for this man, for me ever thinking that he was naive or an advocate for God knows what. To use homeless people like that and especially not to pay them for their work that is benefitting YOU, Nader, is so horrible I can't even begin to articulate my anger.

:grr::grr::grr:

[WindRavenX]

20. Very sad

Taking advantage of the homeless. Way to go Ralph, way to go. :eyes:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

21. The following "Ha-ha" is directed at the candidate, Ralph Nader, in a

spirit of derision, rather than at his poor unwitting campaign workers.

HA-HA!

[quaoar]

22. It's fairly obvious

That by screwing the homeless he is shoring up his Republican credentials.

Bush/Nader '04

[Tight_rope]

23. LOL...Pay them Nader...they need the money to pay taxes!