“I was a volunteer at the Green Festival in Washington DC, over the weekend and the last speaker on Sunday was Ralph Nader. He was signing books at the tent right behind my assignment (collecting donations, cleaning up, etc.) I’m not a huge fan of his, but I do admire his work. So right after my shift ends I stood in line at his signing/meeting tent. His book was on sale at a separate tent, but so were some 50 other peoples, so it wasn’t exclusive for him. It was my turn so I walk up to him and ask if he can sign my Green Fest tote bag (gift for mom) and he says “I don’t sign bags” right after he said that I was a little disenchanted but quickly snapped back and asked him if he had ever heard of the Consumerist…”

“After some old people confusion and asking how often it was published I clarified and said for like the 3rd time that is was a website and I got a “I’ve never heard of it” Anyway, my point is after being sort of forced to buy his book to get an autograph (how’s that for consumerism?) I now find out that he has never heard of Consumerist, so in essence he sucks all around. Right after I left the Fest the first thing I did was pick up an over-priced Carmel Mocha at Starbucks. Suck it Nader! I still won’t eat at McDonalds or Shop at Wal-Mart, but I didn’t need that guy to tell me that, I do have common sense.

Love the Consumerist (but not Nader),
Emily

PS: I didn’t buy his book. $30 is so not worth it for his autograph.”

Thanks, Emily. We got a good chuckle out of your letter, and the image of an young activist drinking a Starbucks as a rebellion of sorts against Ralph Nader, a great rebeller himself (and also a man we genuinely respect and admire.). How fickle the emotions of youth are! Politicians better be careful trying to court this demographic come 2008. If you don’t shake their hand the right way, they might become anarcho-syndicalists and agitate for your downfall out of spite.

Also, Dear Ralph Nader,

Please read The Consumerist. We think you will like it.

Sincerely,

The Consumerist

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