Public Citizen
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| Type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 by Ralph Nader in the US |
| Headquarters | Washington D.C. |
| Key people | Robert Weissman, President Robert C. Fellmeth, (Foundation Chair) Jason Adkins, Inc. Chair Joan Claybrook, emeritus President |
| Area served | Nationwide (US) |
| Focus | Consumer advocacy |
| Method | Research, lobbying, litigation and appeals, media attention, direct-appeal campaigns |
| Website | http://www.citizen.org |
Public Citizen is a non-profit, consumer rights advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., United States, with a branch in Austin, Texas. Public Citizen was founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, headed for 26 years by Joan Claybrook, and is now headed by Robert Weissman.
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Lobbying efforts[edit]
Public Citizen advocates for the public interest before all three branches of the United States federal government.[1] Its five divisions include: Congress Watch; Energy; Global Trade Watch; the Health Research Group; and Public Citizen Litigation Group, a nationally prominent public interest law firm founded by Alan Morrison and known for its Supreme Court and appellate practice.[2]
Broadly speaking, Public Citizen favors robust corporate accountability and strong government regulation, particularly in the areas of transport, healthcare, and nuclear power. The organization's priorities range from campaign finance reform to drug and auto safety and financial reform. The unifying theme is an effort to curb the impact of corporate power on American democracy.[1]
Public Citizen's pro-regulatory stance has been criticized by business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,[3] as well as by free-market non-profit institutes such as the Cato Institute,[when?] among others.[clarification needed]
Organization and history[edit]
Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971,[4] Public Citizen is funded by dues and contributions from its members and supporters, foundation grants, and publication sales and does not accept government or corporate funds.[5]
Public Citizen runs with the slogan of “Corporations have their lobbyists in Washington D.C. The People need advocates too.” As explained on their website their overarching goal is “to ensure that all citizens are represented in the halls of power.” They are a nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any partisan political activity nor do they ever endorse any politician running for public office. They survive on donations from their 80,000 supporters and other means of attaining money without resorting to the acceptance of donations from the government or corporations. Public Citizen aims to make sure that the government remains one by the people, for the people and in that attempt leads the charge “against undemocratic trade agreements that advance the interests of mega-corporations at the expense of citizens worldwide.” As a means of fulfilling that mission, Public Citizen has five policy groups that work hard on behalf of the people: The Congress Watch division, the Energy Program, Global Trade Watch, the Health Research Group and their Litigation Group. They have two offices located in Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas respectively. The Congress Watch Division of Public Citizen “champions consumer interests before the US Congress and serves as a government watchdog.” They are focused on three aspects: “strengthening health, safety and financial protections. Ensuring access to the courts to hold corporations accountable for wrongdoing. [and] strengthening our democracy by exposing and combating the harmful impact of money in politics.” Their Energy Program attempts to rally people against the harmful dangers of nuclear power and instead advocate a reliable and sustainable energy future. Among their effort include the desire to combat climate change and support an environment that runs on sustainable energy. Public Citizen’s Health Research Group leads this sector’s “research based, system wide changes in health care policy and drug safety.” They are in charge of newsletters which they use to educate the public regarding drug interactions and dangerous drugs. They fully support a single payer Medicare for everyone. For forty years Public Citizen can take credit for “successfully challenging the abusive practices of the pharmaceutical, nuclear and automobile industries” as well as many others. Along with tackling those overarching sectors, their work includes sections such as access to justice, access to medicines, climate and energy, commercial alert, financial reform, globalization and trade, government reform, health and safety, litigation and Texas issues. [6]
Disassociation from Ralph Nader[edit]
In the aftermath of Ralph Nader's role in the 2000 presidential election, Public Citizen disassociated itself from its founder. Wrote Mother Jones, "For evidence of how rank-and-file liberals have turned against Nader, one need look no further than the empire he created. Public Citizen, the organization (Nader) founded in 1971, has a new fundraising problem–its founder. After the election, contributions dropped... When people inquire about Nader's relationship to the organization, Public Citizen sends out a letter that begins with a startling new disclaimer: 'Although Ralph Nader was our founder, he has not held an official position in the organization since 1980 and does not serve on the board. Public Citizen–and the other groups that Mr. Nader founded–act independently.'"[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b About Public Citizen
- ^ Courting Change: The Story of the Public Citizen Litigation Group
- ^ Kendall, Brent (2009-04-29). "US Consumer Groups: Public Opposes Forced Arbitration By Cos". Dow Jones Newswires. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ^ Staff report (June 2, 1971). Nader Forums Unite To Seek Donations.New York Times
- ^ "Public Citizen's Annual Report and 990s". Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ [www.citizens.org]
- ^ Margolis, John (July/August 2001) Nader Unrepentant. Mother Jones.
