Do you think we're entering a new Progressive Era?

I don't mean "progressive" in the modern liberal sense, but progressive as in changes that benefit the general human welfare of Americans.

Believe it or not, the health care reform - regardless of the outcome - that's making it's way through congressional bureaucracy is indicative of progressive reforms. I have a feeling, as well, that other reforms will be on their way.

I don't want to historicize the original Progressive Era from the turn of the last century by projecting "good liberal policy" onto a bygone era, but could health care reform be the beginning of a line of major human welfare policies? If we're able to reform health insurance in this nation, what else could we accomplish?

Are you cynical about such an idea? Do you think that more reform is possible? What other thoughts might you have?

and a period of unimaginable domestic and international strife. But, I'm probably in the minority.

I'm a smoker. I've smoked on and off for 10 years. If I continue to smoke in 20 years, I won't be surprised if I get cancer.

Short of a game changer like we had in the 1990s that revolutionizes technology, we are about to take some pretty tough medicine.

We're too close to it.

People will feel better about the status quo for a while, which will appear to change. This time will pass.

As long as the bread and circuses continue, there will be no change.

Wrong spot.

but the PTB are standing in the way of the wishes of the people.

But no, sadly were not.

The corporate influence over our political system must be put back in check before that can happen, and no one in DC, not even Obama, wants to check the power of the corporations.

We should have had a Democratic version of the Reagan revolution after Obama won, but Im afraid our party is too corrupted for that to happen.

This seems like a rather innocuous thread topic.

For all you know someone didn't like Mr. Colbert's show last night and decided to tag you with it.

who's spending time out of his life talking about progressive reform on a Democratic bulletin board site. :P

:hi:

But is it that you don't agree with the premise of the question?

Thanks for letting me know, though.

If you want to make an assertion, do so. There's no need to hide it in the form of a question which you proceed to answer yourself.

One in which vistas will be continually shrinking, resources will become ever scarcier, and people ever meaner...

of cynicism.

the leveling off of gains in (and in some cases, perhaps even decreasing) life expectancies, record outlays of taxpayer monies to multinational corporations, prison populations unprecedented in the history of humanity, multiple failed wars, etc. etc. etc.

These things aren't the product of clinical depression. They're basic reality.

I think your objectiion is just weird. Even if it is an argument, OP has framed it as a question to invite criticism. It is, in fact, more polite than making bald assertions.

"It is, in fact, more polite than making bald assertions. "

No, it's not.

That's it?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6766664&mesg_id=6767096

Stick around, and you'll learn to spot 'em, too. :hi:

But it's a deeper negative sentiment than I am able to effect - your q stands free as a fair one imo

and the teachers union are being targeted. Insurance companies and Big Pharma are being rewarded at the expense of the people. Banks and Corporations are bailed out while the citizens suffer. Newt Gingrich is touring the nation with our Sec.of Ed promoting charter schools and funding is restored to abstinence education, while in many states reproductive rights are being watered down. Meanwhile our democratic controlled Senate seriously considers a Public Option that would exclude millions of Americans from public option choice while requiring them to pay for mandated insurance.And GLBT citizens who dare demand their civil rights are considered part of the 10% of the Democratic Party whose views don't matter. I do not consider this either progress or "progressive". Neither should it be considered"reform ". If it is I am scared for us.
When we start proposing heath care for ALL and civil rights for ALL , only then will we earn the right to call it "Progress" or "Reform"

Substance on what is going on vs. what people want to think is going on.

with President Obama and/or his intentions. It, i.e., the system, has been rigged looooong before Barack Obama came along. Capitalism is a stacked deck. A racket. Plain and simple. And as long as we have "those that fuckin matter," this shit will continue.

the Great Society.

Their obsession with management is a bad for the country.

Right now we are more on the porch than actually entering and in order to do it something will have to be done with the libertarian streak that is so dominate in white males today.

Looks bleak to me that we will even get a decent, I SAY DECENT, health insurance reform bill. Our opponents, CorpAmerica has unlimited resources to weaken whatever does manage to get passed. Pres Obama, bless his soul, has tried to stop the bleeding but is actually only slowing it down. Face it, the great American experiment is dead. Killed by greed and apathy.

What we need is a transformation. Level the playing field where everyone counts and is heard. Where the laws apply to everyone.

I feel it really depends on just where you happen to stand in this grand sceme whether you look forward to the future and what that future from where you stand looks to you .

For many it looks pretty dark. I've seen changes I never though in 2009 could possibly accure.

I can hear the change as jobs vanish because there no longer is the roar of traffic in the morning hours or at the 6pm click of the clock.

I see stores gated and weeds forcing their way through once well traveled sidewalks and their function as weeds became to catch plastic bags now the bags do not appear.

I am lost on just what this so called healthcare will even be or if it will matter by the time it emerges with either blood sucking fangs or a gentle hand to lift one up.

can survive much longer.

Our culture is OK with violence and ignorance. Horrible education standards. We don't speak other languages or even know what's going on in our own country much less other countries.

How long can something like that last?