WNED-AM 970 News
by Chris Caya (2010-08-03)

BUFFALO (WNED) - Consumer advocate and former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is returning to Buffalo tonight, supporting Green Party Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins.

"His (Hawkins') focus is on reasserting the sovereignty of the people," Nader told WNED News. "It's 'We the People,' not 'We the Corporation.'"

The main message that Hawkins' is delivering as he travels the state is: "Tax Wall Street to Bail Out Main Street."

The Syracuse resident is proposing to close New York's multi-billion dollar budget gap, mostly by eliminating stock transfer tax rebates.

He says they total $16 billion a year and the Governor and the legislature need to hold Wall Street financiers accountable for the damage they have inflicted upon state residents and the budget.

Nader says he's supporting Hawkins campaign because he's known the fellow advocate a long time.

"He's not only an intellectual and a civic advocate, but he's a blue collar worker," Nader said of a Hawkins, who works at UPS.

"This is what our Founding Fathers meant when they talked about citizen legislators."

Hawkins is also proposing what he calls a hefty tax on bankers bonuses and a hike in the personal income tax for millionaires.

He will be joined by Nader at 7 pm in the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Genesee Street in Buffalo.