Do you identify as "progressive"? If so, could you do me a favour?

Could you respond to this thread with a short list of 5 principles that you hold as core to your value system.

I'm not asking for the "top 5" although I think I would post that if someone asked ME this question. I just think it would be really interesting (for me) to try and get an idea of what underpins the views of the progressives on this board.

Thank you.


Here are mine:


1. One should have a right to determine one's own destiny.

2. All should have the education necessary to support 1.

3. Treat others as you'd wish to be treated yourself.

4. The Individual and Society benefit best when supporting each other rather than assuming that the needs of one necessarily screw with the other.

5. It's a lot harder to put 1, 2, 3 and 4 into practice than it is to state them.

and not Put Them Down.

Progressives should create societal systems that enable everyone
to be lifted up to the highest level they can achieve. To do this,
society should provide: prenatal care, proper nutrition, health
care, education, available useful employment, transportation, etc.

Yes, we also do the "lifting" on an individual basis, but a properly-
structured society doesn't have so many people in need of special
help from the society's individuals. To take up an example that was
being discussed in another nearby thread, there's no need for individuals
to "donate sick days" if enough sick days are provided in the first place
and plentiful, fast-responding health care is universally available.

Tesha

He might grow up to be a software billionaire one day and let you borrow his Porsche.

So, you're really sparing yourself a violent end in that instance.

:evilgrin:

1. The state exists to better the people's lives
2. Corporations should be abolished when they don't serve the public good.
3. The commons should be preserved for future generations
4. Communities should be empowered with self sufficiency and self determination
5. Violence should never be used for conflict resolution

for myself, I don't have a problem with useless corporations. As long as they don't knowingly or continuously cause harm or death they should be allowed to exist in a REAL free market.

That would shut down the Health Insurance industry first thing.

I assume you're talking about conflicts that aren't already violent?

(sorry, I'm breaking my own rules here, really this topic should probably be a separate thread)

should be walked away from. Or run away from.

It has nothing to do with libertine ideas of self-independence. Progressivism has to do with disenchantment and rejection of the status quo. It is likely that progressives can never be satisfied and tolerant of things as they are (no matter how they are!)

What do progressives want to see progress? In a most general way, equality in matters affecting human dignity and quality of life. That sentiment was reduced to "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" for the French.

Banners on contemporary progressive baracades generally include concepts of Equality, Justice, and Dignity.

In recent years, the view that humans have membership in a greater living community than just the human community has resulted in the inclusion of values of environmentalism into the progressive movement. This has emerged as a progressives desire to change the status quo and improve human relationships with the natural world.

but in fact, we believe it is society, the common good, that can be improved. Progressives believe in a common good, a public morality that balances self-interest with those of society. In some ways, Adam Smith, capitalist economist, was in fact progressive. Nowadays, many conservatives have migrated to Ayn Rand's thinking, which champions individualism at the expense of a common good.

Because progressivism is always seeking progress (which is to say progressivism is a perenial pursuit of perfection) the moral standards that are employed by progressives are ever changing.

At one point in history slavery and serfdom are issues, at another point ethnic and tribal equality, at another access to health care is at issue.

The heart of it really is the notion that things can and should be improved.

(such as the right to choose, definition of marriage) should not be advocated nor denied by legislation. Oh, wait. That's your #1. I agree with the rest, also.

We belong to a world community of nations, and though we may not always agree with every government, we should guide our foreign policy by the ethos that free societies profit more from peaceful resolution to conflicts than from war. When free societies profit from war, then freedom is in jeopardy. America is exceptional, but must lead by example, rather than with a big stick. Just some thoughts...

A lot of things make America exceptional. The Declaration of Independence, the founding document, is a source of modern nationalism. The Bill of Rights inspired similiar documents in France and other nations as they rejected monarchy and absolutism. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights owes its existence to our Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence inspired movements and revolutions against colonialism. Despite a civil war and upheavals that have brought down governments and empires in history, America has evolved into a nation of people from all over the world, with universal sufferage and was the world leader for most of the Twentieth century. Now today, America is losing some of its exceptionalism, as competition from Europe, China and India are displacing our leadership. But culturally, America is still exceptional.

Now this is not to say that America has always been a force for good in the world, and it's not to say that American policies have always been good for Americans. And I'm saying that America should use its exceptionalism as provocation to force its way on other nations, and attempt nation-building, as we are now.

as we do today.

"Five Second Fountainhead"? It's a riot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8fkdBz2bds

the answer would be "I am a Libertarian".

Whatever you choose to call yourself, your 5 points are the exact same as my Libertarian neighbor's ideal world if you make the Flat Tax number 6.

It's the fundamental logic that animates the entire leftward spectrum of economic views. Mutualism works even in the worst and dire of situations. The only problem is overcoming the fear of a fellow person to link up and cooperate.

If one is simply in it for personal gain or to accumulate far more material possessions than is necessary to subsist, then this logic is ignored. In such a situation, it becomes more advantageous to pit people against each other just enough that one could then more easily extract from them their labor and ultimately their wealth. People are more easily exploited, victimized, and crushed when they are divided and atomized instead of being unified in a cohesive bloc.

I wish I'd made more of my "individual and society" bit. I think the individual and society are two mutually supporting entities and I don't think either can function properly without the input of the other.

1. Governments (should) exist to improve the welfare of their citizens and protect the citizens from predictable and preventable threats while preserving individual rights.
2. The definition of "welfare of their citizens" and the right balance between protection and individual rights are debatable points that should be settled democratically, within the boundary of certain rules.
3. Boundary rules for #2: all people should be treated equally by the government, and not subject to punishment or restriction of rights OR significant unfair advantages for factors that are beyond the individual's control, except in extreme cases of threat to other members of society. (The exception takes into account things like locking up drunk drivers, for those who subscribe to the common theory that drinking is beyond the alcoholic's control).
4. Number 1 requires the establishment of rules that may seem to infringe on the "rights" of some citizens, and these should be determined democratically, within the boundaries described in #3.

But what really makes me a "progressive":

5. Changing the rules will almost always cause significant upheaval in some people's lives - as commonly said, there are winners and losers. People should not be drastically punished for playing by the rules of the games within ethical boundaries that they were raised to believe in. (Edit to add: the boundaries in #3 require this.) And regardless of the "should", the fact is that rapid, draconian (to some) change will usually cause backlash, that will often reverse the positive social change that was intended, and create cultural divides. Therefore progressive change (slower, more incremental, more compassionate to all) is preferred to radical change.


My definition of "progressive" is not that of the current "progressive" movement. Most "progressives" I've met are actually radicals but don't want to call themselves what they are. They want overnight change in all things, not caring about how that will affect everyday people caught on the wrong side of the issue, or what might happen with the backlash. (I am not talking about gay marriage here, by the way. Civil rights come under #3 and are more urgent to deal with, particularly when few if any people of ethical behavior will be hurt.) So, I don't usually call myself a "progressive", because I don't want to be identified as a radical when I'm not.

I usually just call myself a liberal.

and I'm interested in your follow-up that a lot of self-identified progressives area really radicals.

I'm ambivalent about it, myself. I think some things need knocking on the head with a hammer... not everything ill work out that, way obviously.

1) P
2) E
3) A
4) C
5) E

"When we ALL do better, we all do better."---Paul Wellstone


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

Franklin D. Roosevelt “The Economic Bill of Rights”
Excerpt from 11 January 1944 message to Congress on the State of the Union

It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.

Historically, they have always had a less than positive opinion of democracy. Their love of unaccountable "managers" (like the Fed) really irks me, as does their paternalistic attitudes (also known as "their incessant need to save people from themselves.")

That's my biggest one, and sadly, it's enough to separate a person from the Republican mainstream. There was a time when that basic idea was a given on both sides of the aisle.

here are my principles

1.- Right to health care... it IS a human right

2.- Right to Education

3.- Right to a LIVING WAGE (and to orgamize in unions if that is the choice to guarantee this)

4.- Right to Housing

5.- Freedom of Religion...

All else comes from there

Perhaps it's a cultural thing, there's no real negative connotations in my country, except maybe "that political party with no real ideas and no chance of winning."

I refuse to "apologize" for calling myself one.

Though there are no absolutes, the closest approximation of truth is more valuable than ideology.
Rationalism and Intuition are essentially related aspects of the processes that identify truth.
Functional solutions are more important than almost all other goals.
The Golden Rule is the best ethical formulation of the first three principles.
None of the above is can happen without the highest degree of personal freedom possible.

I believe we are all equal

I believe in and trust the U.S. Constitution

I believe in the separation of church and state

I don't believe corporations are persons

I don't believe in a police state

I don't believe in monopolies

I believe in quality education for all

I believe in quality health care for all

I believe all men & women be allowed to marry whomever they choose to marry

I believe in a well maintained infrastructure

I believe in publicly financed campaigns

I believe elected officials be held accountable

I believe in diplomacy and in peace

I believe in a good defensive military

Liberal is not a dirty word. To be anything else would be too rigid, lack compassion and be unAmerican.

Being a liberal is an ongoing process. For me it is liberating because I try to put my feet in other's shoes to see their point of view - which has many times changed mine.

*Medicare for anyone who wants it.

*Immediate withdrawal of ALL military forces and "contractors" from the Middle East.

*Immediate reduction of Military Spending by at least 50%

*The immediate break-up (Trust Busting) of everything "Too Big to Fail".

*Fair Competition Legislation that lets Mom&Pop (small locally owned businesses and farms) compete with Big Box and Factory Farms on a level playing field.

*An end to "Free Trade" (Race to the Bottom)

*Organized LABOR and local co-ops.

*An end to the two-tiered Judicial System

*Prosecution of rich American War Criminals and War Profiteers. (Oh yes they did!)

*An END to "Corporate Personhood"

*Strictly Enforced Publicly Financed Elections (severe penalties for criminals)

*Transparent and Verifiable elections (Why isn't this a front burner issue with the Democratic Party?)

*Re-Regulation with strict oversight of Banking/Investment, Transportation, Communications, Trade, Energy, Utilities. There should be NO Public Money for private Prisons, armed Private Police, armed Defense Contractors, or private intelligence agencies.

*Immediate Civil Rights and Equal Protection for ALL. (No Exceptions)

*Free Quality Universal Education to everyone who wants it.

*Strong Social Safety Net and Consumer Protections.

*An end to The Patriot Act and a return to The Constitution.(especially Habeus and privacy protections)

*A refutation of the "Unitary Executive", and legislation to ensure it NEVER happens again.

*An END to Republican/Corporate influence INSIDE The Democratic Party !
(NO! They DON"T deserve a seat at the table!)

*Excommunication and Exile for ANY Democrat
who hides behind the phrase "seeking bi-partisan consensus."
(Kidding....but only just a little.)


I really don't care what label anyone wants to stick on the above,
I will continue fighting for ALL of them.



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

as I was trying to get to what the motivation is behind these aims, but, thank you for posting, and I agree with all of these aims.

Many thanks,

Z

1. Invest in people more than in corporations or bombs.
2. Sex is not dirty, nor does it consist of only two polar opposites. Mind your own fucking business.
3. Your religion is no better than anyone else's, and no more entitled to rule us.
4. Equal rights.
5. Media outlets ought not to be allowed to get huge, nor too many owned by single entities.

1. The social, political, legal, economic and cultural system should be expanded as much as possible to be as inclusive as possible so as many sentient creatures as possible feel included, protected and like they can use their talents. We should try to respect the dignity, feelings and agenda of as many sentient creatures as possible rather than just a nucleus of aristocrats. Gay rights, civil rights, womens rights, animal rights, mental health parity laws, prisoners rights, voting rights, etc all achieve this goal by giving value, dignity and representation to more and more sentient creatures and all were achieved by progressive and opposed by conservatives.

2. The social, political, legal, economic and cultural system should be as fair and just as possible. Labor laws, environmental regulations, universal education, police oversight boards, human rights, minimum wages, progressive taxes, etc.

3. We should take care of those who cannot take care of themselves and who need help, and those who can offer the most help should be expected to offer more (progressive taxes). Medicare, medicaid, VA, disability income, unemployment insurance, SCHIP, Pell Grants, etc

4. By following these values society will grow far faster and better than it ever could in a self centered society where only an elite minority is given any power or status. As an example, fortune 500 companies that have more women in executive positions do better financially. By not ignoring the talents of everyone who isn't a financially successful heterosexual christian white male, we all benefit. A hundred years ago Barack Obama would be lucky to be a shoe shine boy. Now he is president. Hillary would've been a housewife.

5. Assume other people are by nature decent, worthy and trustworthy enough to pursue those objectives. Unlike conservatives, we do not assume other people are by nature untrustworthy, dangerous, out to get us and cheat or unimportant to our own lives and our own goals. We trust our neighbors enough to believe in community.

I think yours are my favourite so far...

1. Don't penalize or demonize corporations or suck up to them - just regulate them in a uniform fashion and encourage a free market (not the 'free market' that got us into this financial mess).

2. People should be able to believe what they want (eg. religions), but acting those beliefs out in a dangerous way to others is a different issue.

3. We should try to be the best country we can be, and not cling to the past. We should learn from the histories of other countries, but not try to be just like them.

4. Everybody has the undeniable right to have 3 meals a day, a job, healthcare, and an education. They may deny any of these, unless if they're mentally incompetent to do so.

5. No one party is better than the other, has politicians that are saner than the other, and is a "good" party (versus the other party being a "bad" party). Party is irrelevent. Actions speak louder than words. Party allegiance is useless, and only gives lazy politicians unneccessary support and praise.

1. The government should be accountable to the people.

2. Everyone is entitled to basic human rights like life, liberty, property, health care, and education.

3. Individuals and Society should check each other.

4. Well-informed citizenry is crucial to a democracy.

5. The people are always the first priority, not entities like corporations.

1. Abandon myth and superstition: Religion and fairytales weaken the mind, be they ancient or of the New Age. No gods, no masters.

2. Science is our only salvation: Fear of progress and improvement impede our movement and endanger our planet.

3. "I've got the straight edge!": Drugs and alcohol are poison and pathetic weakness. The Drug War is the only thing stupider than the actual drug use itself.

4. The only thing more dangerous than the wealthy are the poor who defend them.

5. One Big Union.

Posted by PassingFair in General Discussion: Presidential
Mon Dec 01st 2008, 05:19 PM


Progressives:
Disapprove of the Iraq War and those who voted to authorize it.
(Especially the unrepentant ones)

Approve of Impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney

Approve of National Health Care

Disapprove of the "Bankruptcy Bill" as passed

Approve of a distinct Separation of Church and State

Approve of Unions

Disapprove of UNREGULATED corporate greed

Some Progressives:

Russ Feingold
Dennis Kucinich
Barbara Boxer
Jan Schakowsky
Pete Stark
Paul Wellstone (R.I.P.)
Henry Waxman
Bernie Sanders
Jerrold Nadler
Patrick Leahy
Dick Durbin
Bob Graham
Jim Jeffords (Progressive Independent Republican)
and both Levins

I'd include Ted Kennedy, but he walks the line
between Progressive and Old-School Liberal, really
in a class by himself.

There are more, and before you start citing individual votes
that don't meet the criteria, they don't ALL get it right ALL
the time, but for the most part, THESE are the democrats that
should be rewarded and LISTENED TO.

The bravest and the smartest. The ones with INTEGRITY.

I believe that we all should help one another rise to the highest level we can

Sharing love and things is important

Caring about people no matter who they fuck or what the color of their skin is

Protecting the weak in society

People are animals and all animals are important and should be protected, but maybe other animals should get more protection because too many people are mean and take up too much space

Big help for me in finding stuff out.

1. Every human being is inherently entitled to a certain amount of dignity and respect. Including those who commit heinous acts.

2. Every person who is able to work deserves to be paid a living wage.

3. Religion is a private matter, which belongs in churches, not in the Government.

4. Labor Unions are the last bastion of democracy in America and need to be protected and valued as such.

5. Human rights and civil rights must apply to all in our society.

My core values would include:

* Belief that every individual has inherent worth.
* Belief that every individual is deeply connected (whether scientifically, religiously, or both) to every other individual and thing in the universe.
* Belief that every individual should have access to healthcare, education (including the arts), a job in a safe environment with a living wage, shelter, food and clothing, regardless of race, gender, religion, economic status, language, or sexual identity. This means everybody, including prisoners and undocumented immigrants--even war criminals like Cheney. Which leads me to...
* Belief that torturing and killing a person for any reason except self-defense is immoral and unethical, including wars and use of the death penalty.
* Belief that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."