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What Is a Progressive
Townhall ^ | Nov 19, 2011 | John C. Goodman

Posted on 07/14/2014 6:04:08 AM PDT by don-o

When is the last time you heard a liberal describe himself as a "liberal"? It’s probably been a long time. These days, those on the left are more likely to call themselves "progressives."

Writing in The New York Times, Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs said there have been two progressive eras — one in the early 20th century and the second under Franklin Roosevelt. He called on modern liberals to usher in a third era.

But what exactly is "progressivism"? To many people, the term "Progressive Era" evokes fond caricatures of Teddy Roosevelt and such reforms as safe food, the elimination of child labor and the eight-hour work day. Yet real progressivism was far more sinister. Here is how Jonah Goldbergdescribes the World War I presidency of Woodrow Wilson:

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: language; progressive
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I am old enough and have enough memory to recognize, at least sometimes, when the language is being hijacked. On another thread, just this morning, Ia FReeper used the term "progressive" with no sense of irony whatsoever.

In my opinion, it should never be used without a modifier, such as "so called progressives."

1 posted on 07/14/2014 6:04:08 AM PDT by don-o
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To: Mrs. Don-o

The article makes a very good case for wide use of the F word.

No no. The other F word. Fascist.


2 posted on 07/14/2014 6:05:53 AM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!)
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To: don-o

A progressive is someone who thinks he can solve social problems better than society can.


3 posted on 07/14/2014 6:09:23 AM PDT by untenured
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To: don-o
"No no. The other F word. Fascist."

That's exactly what they are. In fact, I usually use the term "progressive fascists"

4 posted on 07/14/2014 6:15:15 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: don-o; circlecity

“Progressives” came into vogue around the time of Wilson, and they greatly admired the advances in society that the Nazis were making - big fans.

Well, we know how that turned out and to sever the association with the fascists of that time, they started calling themselves “liberals”.

Now, of course, the label comes to mean what people know is “in the can”, so now “liberal” means “totalitarian collectivist”,

and they want to be called “progressive” again.


5 posted on 07/14/2014 6:18:37 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: don-o

An ignorant jerk.


6 posted on 07/14/2014 6:19:23 AM PDT by mulligan (I)
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To: don-o

The only reason they started calling themselves Liberals in the first place was to glom onto a legacy of achievement that was not theirs.


7 posted on 07/14/2014 6:19:24 AM PDT by SeeSharp
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To: don-o

Progressive is just another word for totalitarian socialist who would like nothing better than to turn the US into a socialist dictatorship with one party rule whose goal is to completely rid the US of the Constitution.


8 posted on 07/14/2014 6:22:33 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (The cure has become worse than the disease. Support an end to the WOD now.)
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To: don-o

So-called progressives/liberals are really radicals. They are not interested in progress or liberty. They only want destructive change. Perhaps they could be called libertines too.


9 posted on 07/14/2014 6:23:37 AM PDT by Prolixus (We feed; they breed.)
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To: don-o

“...such as “so called progressives.”””

Not sure why the modifier is necessary. Using it, in my opinion, implies there are good and bad progressives. Can’t think of any good ones today.


10 posted on 07/14/2014 6:24:23 AM PDT by raybbr (Obamacare needs a death panel.)
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To: don-o

Actually “Progressive” is a term that they want used.

I never use my enemies’ terms. They do not get to dirct or control my language.

Example: Hillary is the name her supporters prefer. I consider her name Hillary Clinton or Clinton or Mrs. Clinton.

“Progressive it the new term that people who were called “liberals” want to be named.

I call then by their actions: LEFTISTS. Whenever you see the word “progressive” substitute the truth and use leftist.


11 posted on 07/14/2014 6:29:07 AM PDT by Chickensoup (Leftist totalitarian fascism is on the move.)
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To: don-o
Communist - wants total government control of people and assets to be achieved by sudden , revolutionary violent acts.

Progressive - wants total government control of people and assists to be achieved by slow, cultural, and legislative changes.

Progressivism want the same end as communist, but it is a 'slow motion' communism.

12 posted on 07/14/2014 6:32:56 AM PDT by Texas Songwriter
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To: MrB
 photo progressive_zpsdf215471.png
13 posted on 07/14/2014 6:38:56 AM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is evil and must be eradicated)
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To: don-o

Mitt Romney

1. Supports Abortion
2. Supports the Homo Agenda
3. Supported Global Warming scam, including his own Carbon Trading scheme.
4. Raised taxes on everything in Massachusetts.
5. Supports Amnesty
6. Supported Gun Control

That is what you call a Progressive Liberal


14 posted on 07/14/2014 6:46:29 AM PDT by SoConPubbie (Mitt and Obama: They're the same poison, just a different potency)
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To: FatherofFive

Great bumper sticker!


15 posted on 07/14/2014 6:49:33 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (The future must not belong to those who slander bacon.)
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To: Texas Songwriter
Bingo! "Progressive" is the name the American admirers of the Fabian Socialists picked for themselves because they didn't want to admit that their long-term goal was to establish a socialist state.
16 posted on 07/14/2014 6:53:30 AM PDT by Flatus I. Maximus (First Third-World Despotism. Overthrow Obama.)
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To: Chickensoup

Wow, almost word for word what I was going to post ;’)

At the site you’ll see comments from readers completely divorced from reality (there’s only a few so far). One referenced a speech by Teddy Roosevelt:
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=1199

I can’t tell if he was self-deluded or a complete BS artist.


17 posted on 07/14/2014 6:58:19 AM PDT by rockrr (Everything is different now...)
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To: rockrr

Note that thae article is 2011. I missed the discussion as this term began to creep into the language.


18 posted on 07/14/2014 7:06:42 AM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!)
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To: don-o

“Progressive” is an accurate description of the results of the Left’s policies ... just like cancer is a “progressive” disease. As with cancer, the death of our Judeo-Christian values-based Republic can only be prevented by destroying the “progressive” cancer.


19 posted on 07/14/2014 7:12:35 AM PDT by glennaro
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To: don-o

Wow, actually quite a few threads touching on this subject recently.

To add my $.02, I’d really like to have the term “Classical Liberal” back, now that the Proglodytes have abandoned “Liberal”


20 posted on 07/14/2014 7:12:58 AM PDT by tanknetter
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