What progressive is

I agree with most of what Mr Rinker says.

But I have to disagree with his forked tongue comment. I am pro-life but I am also a proponent of a national health care system. That doesn't mean that I think abortion should be covered under health care. What it does mean is that we all don't fit neatly into a box labeled either conservative or liberal.

2 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

"The other synonym is "socialist". Likewise this isn't used so much by socialists these days as it has negative connotations amongst freedom loving people."

Where do you people come up with this stuff. Perhaps the letter writer is unaware that we have a sitting US Senator from VT, who's party identification is "Socialist", or that socialism polls higher among US citizens than "tea party".

I would urge the letter writer to go pick up a book, look up the definition of the word socialist, and then point to some legislation that seizes the means of production in the US.

The whole idea of language isn't so a political class can start taking pre-existing words, and deciding that they can make up their own definition, although they've tried to do that with "tea bagging".

4 Agrees | 7 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

From Thesaurus . com

progressivism

Main Entry: left wing Definition: person or group favoring change

Synonyms: left, left-winger, leftism, leftist, liberal, liberalism, on the left, progressive, progressiveness, progressivism , radical

Notes: left wing is often considered radical or socialist, liberal or progressive - while right wing is conservative

5 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

And the definition of "socialism" from Mr. Webster:

1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

*************************

Now please point out specific policies by ANY American politician that line up with this.

0 Agrees | 5 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

What does thesaurus dot com call a group of people that continually use a word when they have no idea of it's actual meaning?

I'm gonna to go with gaggle of idiots.

2 Agrees | 4 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Chris, you suggested that Mr Rinker 'read up' on socialism after taking offense to him stating that progressive's synonym is socialist. I checked it out and, indeed, that is true. Don't shoot the messenger because the message makes you look like a fool.

7 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

We need a governor who has the people's interests not corporate's interest.

3 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

So Mike, you can't provide even a single actual example of Democrats actually proposing socialist legislation?

Remind me, who was it that proposed repeating lies over and over again until they become "true"?

0 Agrees | 4 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

We are no more socialist than we are capitalist; we’re somewhere between the two. The question is whether we want to move in the direction of socialism or in the direction of capitalism. We’re currently moving in the direction of socialism much more rapidly than at any time in the past.

8 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Maybe this will help you Mike, socialists (and there is an actual Socialist party in the US), think govt does everything better. Republicans think the free market does everything better. Democrats are typically too pragmatic to believe in absolutes, and they think the govt does some things better, and the private sector does somethings better.

Hope that helps allay your obvious confusion.

1 Agrees | 4 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Phil is on the money.

2 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

OBAMA: "I can ignore the Constitution's "advise and consent" requirement whenever I want to."

DC CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS: "No, you can't."

It's good to see the high courts throw the Constitution a bone now and then.

6 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

...with the first part of his statement, I should say.

If the last part of his statement were true, corporate profits wouldn't be at all time highs, nor would the gap between the richest Americans and poorest Americans be continually growing.

0 Agrees | 5 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Another conservative writing what a progressive is, the very same conservatives who hate it when members of left define them.

Since someone gave the definition of left wing, right wing is the keepers of social hierarchy and social inequality. They are the traditionalist, the clericalist's and believers in hierarchy. Adherents to tradition and natural laws.

2 Agrees | 4 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

CHayes, I'm not confused. I simply showed you, with a reference, that 'socialist' is considered a synonym for Progressive. Perhaps you should register your disagreement with the Thesaurus . com.

4 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Phil says "We’re currently moving in the direction of socialism much more rapidly than at any time in the past."

To which Chayes says "Phil is on the money."

But Chayes says I am confused because I pointed out that Thesaurus . com says socialism is a synonym for progressivism.

Someone Que up the theme to the twilight zone.

4 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Let's be a little fair shall we. Mike's synonym source has this for conservative;

Tory, bourgeois, constant, controlled, conventional, die-hard, fearful, firm, fogyish, fuddy-duddy, guarded, hard hat, hidebound, holding to, illiberal, in a rut, inflexible, middle-of-the-road, not extreme, obstinate, old guard, old line, orthodox, quiet, reactionary, *******, right, right of center, right-wing, sober, stable, steady, timid, traditional, traditionalistic, unchangeable, unchanging, uncreative, undaring, unimaginative, unprogressive, white bread

2 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Word deleted was red neck.

1 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Lazy the Liar "Where do you people come up with this stuff. Perhaps the letter writer is unaware that we have a sitting US Senator from VT, who's party identification is "Socialist","

2 of the 7 senators that voted to fund child prostitution, "Socialist" Bernie Sanders VT, Bob Casey PA.

2 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

" To which Chayes says "Phil is on the money.""

Looks like you missed a post there. You appear to be getting confused again.

0 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

" 2 of the 7 senators that voted to fund child prostitution, "Socialist" Bernie Sanders VT, Bob Casey PA."

Were those mean old Senators trying to put you at on the streets boobie? :>(

1 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

There are fiscal conservatives and there are social conservatives. Some fiscal conservatives may be social conservatives and some fiscal conservatives aren’t. Some social conservatives may be fiscal conservatives and some social conservatives aren’t.

It’s a favorite trick of those on the left to portray “the right” as bible thumping, gun carrying, pro life, anti-gay zealots, but that doesn’t come close to being the truth. If you’re going to be honest, you should explain which group you’re talking about, but I wouldn’t expect intellectual honesty from many on the left.

4 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Hi, phil.. actually, the characterization of the right you just penned quite acurately reflects the divisions within the modern republican parties and the fragile coalition cobbled together under reagan appears to be crumbling under the weight of its own divisiveness. Or, as Reich recently opined and to paraphrase, President Obama has laid bare many factions if conservatism. Libertarians don't appreciate social conservatives imposing their brand of morality upon us, shrink the government fanatics don't support deficit hawks. Add in the nativists and racists who don't support immigrants or minorities getting ahead, and top it all off with the right wing populists vs the wall street crowd, who love government as long as it provides them with subsidies, bailouts and defense spending. All of this seems to point to a future that bodes well for progressivism.

1 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

"It’s a favorite trick of those on the left to portray “the right” as bible thumping, gun carrying, pro life, anti-gay zealots, but that doesn’t come close to being the truth. If you’re going to be honest, you should explain which group you’re talking about, but I wouldn’t expect intellectual honesty from many on the left."

Now who is doing tricks and magical thinking.

1 Agrees | 3 Disagrees | Report Abuse »

Lazy the Liar "Were those mean old Senators trying to put you at on the streets boobie? :>( "

They just earning the money you and Bill "the pervert" Maher sent them.

1 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »