Back in the 1960’s and 70’s we were deeply divided as a nation.  Issues like Civil Rights, Vietnam and the Cold War created deep tensions.  Yet in Washington, things did get done.  The passage of the Civil Rights act, the creation of the EPA, and even public pressure to end the war in Vietnam, all impacted those who govern.

Today, Washington appears more divided and gridlocked than ever.  Yet among the people, there seems to be less real division. The citizens seem to be more in sync than ever, about issues of corporate power, civil liberties, environmental concerns, and unchecked militarism.  

So where is the disconnect, if the people have things in common, why are our leaders so divided?  Perhaps the fault is not in our leaders but in ourselves and our unwillingness to engage in the exercise our own power.

This is the premise of the latest from Ralph Nader, Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State

My conversation with Ralph Nader: