the outcome of the election

[Occhidiangela]

Yes, labour unions fight to retain wage levels.  Yes, it is, in receptive societies, the fundamental power base of both Socialist and Communist parties.  If you can explain to me how the presence of a weak labour movement and less-than-moderate interventionist policies means that socialism is alive and well in the U.S., then I'll concede the point to you.  I don't see it.  Nader is leftist.  He's no socialist.  Institutional socialism remains a bad word and, as I can see from your post, Americans (Canadians too) continue to blame the union movement for the fall of Keynesianism.  I don't buy it, but that's just me.  Consider the issue dropped, but respond if you will :)
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I do not recall saying Socialism is alive and well, and indeed, Socialism at present has taken some good hard knocks. The weakness of the labor movement is a recent phenomenon, as in within the last generation.

Leftist . . . implies socialist/communist leanings. That's where the Left and Right tend to sit, unless someone has changed definitions on me yet again! It happens. But yes, Nader is not a Socialist, he is to my view a slightly purer liberal than that, if that makes any sense. (He is also a bit guilty of reading and believing his own newspaper clippings.)

You are also correct to detect the smell of glue. <_<

Occhi