WATERBURY, Conn., April 28 (UPI) -- Presidential candidate Ralph Nader told an audience in Connecticut Sunday the U.S. government has been taken over by big business.

In a fundraiser at a former bank building in Waterbury, the long-shot independent said "global corporations" were exercising unchecked power and basically running every government department and agency.

"Think of that," Nader said. "We've lost our government."

He went on to say he could never return to his roots as a consumer advocate since there were no agencies in Washington that would do anything other than what corporate leaders wanted.

The Waterbury Republican-American reported Nader raised more than $1,250 from about 70 supporters and urged voters to have faith in their ability to force change.