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My father taught me about progressive values by
living them. He actually thought of himself as conservative, but he had a
strong faith in common folks, a populist distrust of big business and
autocratic government, a deep belief in economic fairness, and a commitment
to the notion of the common good. He summed up his political philosophy one
day when he said to me: “Everybody does better when everybody does
better.”
I’m floating back to memories of my upbringing
because of a little book I’ve just read about family values. Not
those “family values” that the right wing has used to try to
divide America, but the real thing, the uniting values we learn as
children. This book is called The Seventeen
Traditions, and it’s written by Ralph
Nader. Nader has written many powerful books, but I think
this little volume of 150 pages is his biggest book. It’s
Ralph’s very personal reminiscences and appreciation of growing up in
a small Connecticut town as a son of Lebanese immigrants, Nathra and Rose
Nader. He says that he’s often asked what forces shaped him, and his
short answer is “I had a lucky choice of parents.”
This book confirms that, offering rich vignettes
organized around 17 of the traditions that Ralph gained from his family,
including the traditions of the family table, education and argument,
simple enjoyments, independent thinking, patriotism, and civics.
Nader’s purpose isn’t to say that these are the traditions, the only ones
of value that everyone should endorse but that they certainly are worthy
ones. They are meant to inspire all readers to reflect on and connect with
the traditions of their own families. The Seventeen Traditions brings
us back to what’s important in life — and what makes America
truly great.
Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator,
columnist, and author.
This article appears in Jun 7-13, 2007.
