ARWAR
ARkansans Working to Achieve Revolution
Revolution-momentous change in a situation(The American Heritage Dictionary)
Declaring Our Independence
by Amanda Lamb and Wendy Crow
In the summer and fall of 2004, we had the good fortune of working on the 2004
Nader/Camejo Presidential Campaign in Arkansas.   We will forever remember the
2004 election experience as a defining moment, not only  in our civic endeavors, but in
US history.  The voices of the people have for too long been overshadowed by those of
corporate top dogs .   The experience impressed upon us a better understanding of the
two party duopoly, and a desire to fight for more choices and more voices in
government.  
Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum??
For Democrats, the logic was “anybody but Bush”.   Although not based in reality, the  
“vote for Nader is a vote for Bush” rhetoric devalued the importance of third party and
independent candidates and created a situation in which true democracy was placed in
jeopardy.  Consumer rights activist Ralph Nader and Civil Rights activist Peter
Camejo were openly accused by the Democratic Party of crashing the election.  
Ignoring their own failures as a party and refusing to acknowledge the weakness of
their own candidate, they chose instead to villainize the progress driven and politically
independent Nader campaign for what they referred to as stealing votes.  In actuality,
votes cannot be stolen.  They must be earned.  Membership in any political party is not
an entitlement to votes from the people.    
The Democrats VS. Democracy
The desperate tactics utilized by Democrats in 2004 were outlandish and demonstrated
a disregard of constituent concern.   In Arkansas, the fight for ballot access was
exhausting.  Under the leadership of Dr. Jim Macri, the Arkansas Nader team fought
as a campaign for a “better life”.  Our efforts were focused on just that--a better life.  
Yet Democrats presented obstacles at every turn.  The Arkansas campaign was 100%
volunteer driven.  There was no corporate funding.  There was only the effort of
citizens taking initiative with the goal of providing a satisfactory alternative to the two-
party system.  In order to receive ballot access, relentless petitioning was required.  A
tremendous amount of citizen effort took place in order to ensure our right to vote for
the candidate of our choice.  

Shortly after signatures were submitted, the true viciousness of the party began to
emerge.  In an attempt to discredit the citizen efforts that resulted in ballot access, the
Democratic Party hired a private company to contact citizens who signed the petition.  
With access to Arkansas’ voters’ registration database CAMCO Inc. proceeded to
needlessly harass those who voiced a desire to see Ralph’s name on the presidential
ballot.  We were included in the contacts made by CAMCO Inc. on behalf of the
Democrats.  The questions asked in CAMCO’s verification process were an invasion
of privacy and the explanation regarding the purpose of the call was misleading and
unclear.  When confronted, CAMCO led citizens to believe they were calling on behalf
of the Secretary of State’s office rather than working for a political party.

When these underhanded tactics failed to block Ralph from the ballot, the Democrats
pursued even a more absurd angle.  One that created a scenario in which it was the
Ralph Nader petitioners who were misleading voters into signing the petition under
false pretenses.  Democrats portrayed us as deceitful and the matter ultimately ended
up in court.  
A Victory for the People
It took a ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court to keep Ralph Nader’s name on the
2004 Arkansas Ballot.  Despite their high dollar lawyers, Democrats were over
confident in their mission to undermine the democratic principles on which our society  
is based.  
The Bottom Line
Participation in the Ralph Nader campaign was an experience in humanity.  In the end,
we were right.  The Nader factor did not cost John Kerry the election.  John Kerry did.  
Winning was never the motivation for doing the right thing.  It was a campaign in which
each individual had an important role regardless of  their level of clout.  Thanks to dirty
tricks by the Democrats, Ralph Nader was blocked in ballots in state after state.  We
Arkansas volunteers worked hard to get our candidate on the ballot and felt a sense of
accomplishment on November 2nd.    Over 6,100 voters in Arkansas alone chose Ralph
Nader as the best choice for US President.  Jim Macri, Barbara Macri, Mark Jenkins,
Brock Carpenter, Graham Linder, and all of those who contributed to the campaign are
true defenders of justice and will forever remain heroes in our eyes.  Although the
election has passed, the campaign for a better life shall continue ad infinitum.  
Ralph Nader is a true champion for humankind.  Please visit
http://www.votenader.org for comprehensive information and writings on the
issues that matter to you.
The Roman Marcus Tullius Cicero once said that "freedom is
participation in power." And, more recently, Thomas Jefferson
called for more "participators." Accountable power spells
justice for the users of the criminal and civil laws, for the
conduct of foreign policies that brilliantly wage peace, not
fabricated quagmire wars. We need to lend the hand of
appropriate, life-sustaining knowledge and humanity to the
impoverished peoples of our Earth. --Ralph Nader