IMHO, it isn't just a heartfelt vision for a ‘better world’ that drives most of the visible ‘progressives’. It's admirable for people to want to make the world a better place, and there are lots of ways to make contributions with our lives towards that end - without making a lot of money, gaining power, or becoming famous in the process. For the visible progressives these ways of making a contribution are not enough - because at some level with too many of them it is narcissism that drives them. That is why, IMHO, lots of ‘progressive’ politicians have a hard time retiring from it all and walking away from the limelight.
The latest revelations from/about Gruber are a good example. It is an arrogant narcissistic world view in which the visible progressives are smarter than the rest of the world, and the rest of the world needs them to save it. It's a sad self-serving world view that lacks the humility required to truly serve.
Good points