In YOUR opinion, what is a Progrssive Democrat?

[AnnInLa]

What are some of the issues that differentiate Progressives from Centrists? Is it an issue of Liberalism, or is it something more? Which of our "leaders" are examples of true, modern (not historical) Progressives? Where can one find info on the "modern" Progressive Movement? Just asking for opinions from other DUers.....thanks!!!

[ladylibertee]

1. I truly do not know but I look forward to learning from the replies.

I myself, am a very Liberal Democrat. If all dems were in a line,I would be the last one furthest left.He He. I may not participate in all, but I stand up for everyones rights.

[Tace]

2. Modern "Progressive" Transcends Party Lines

Although many on the right like to say it just a euphemism for Communism.

[ladylibertee]

3. Please elaborate for me.

[daninthemoon]

4. I suppose centrist is what we've been stuck with, folks falling

all over themselves trying not to look too different than the repugs.
"Leader" and "Progressive" should be nearly synonomous if we are to make any headway. The poverty, classism, and segregation that Katrina exposed should be laid bare by the Democrats who would lead us. Some may have to take their own part of the blame for the things that have happened these past years thatledto this state. They need to be the first to stand up and do what no politician wants to: admit where they were wrong, and pledge to work for the future. No more playing to cameras and trying to get the right/popular spin. Talk straight about the things Katrina exposed, and do the right things.

[ladylibertee]

5. Name someone for me . Do you mean Like Howard Dean ?

[daninthemoon]

7. Almost.

[AnnInLa]

8. What about issues that pertain to

Big Business, Unions, Health care, the Constitution, Israel, war/peace, religion? Or, are the Progressives just bush-haters with no clear view of how they would like to see this country run?

[ladylibertee]

10. Wait .Now, I'm confused. Let's just leave me at Liberal Dem

[daninthemoon]

11. Guess they would have to tell us. There are any number of measuring

sticks for any number of specific issues like those. All I know is the social issues in our country have been swept under the rug too long. Katrina washed them back up with a vengeance. Topping my list of problems for greater minds to fix are: poverty, health care, environment, national debt, relations with China. The folks running things lately have worsened poverty, done nothing about healthcare except make more money for the drug manufacturers, have greatly harmed the environment due to a combination of shortsighted greed and a heretical disbelief in science, turned a monetary surplus into the largest debt ever and counting, and don't seem to have a clue about forging a symbiotic relationship with China. Oh yeah, and they also lie to us and kill bunches of people in Iraq for only God know what reason.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Centrist Democrats believe in a free market. Progressives believe

in FAIR market policies..that would be the biggest distinction, perhaps.
Centrists tend to believe that NAFTA, CAFTA and the like are good programs that need a bit of tweaking. Progressive democrats favor bilateral agreements that would protect the working poor in both counties.

[ladylibertee]

9. Ahhh I see.So I am closer to Progressive then.. thanks

[Armstead]

25. Perfect answer

Short, sweet and sums it up perfectly

[AnnInLa]

12. So Progressives are Dems who are AGAINST

the PNAC/RW/Military/Big-Business take over this country? I think maybe it IS an issue of the degree of liberalism. Being to the left of Communism myself, can I call myself a Progressive because I am against something...or do I have to have a clear vision for what I am FOR? I mean, alot of DUers call themselves Progressives, but what does that mean? Of course, people on DU have banded together primarily because they hate bush and his RW base, but does that mean most of them are Progressive?

[daninthemoon]

13. What if we refer to Progressives with terms like far sighted and

open minded. It's not about hating anybody. These RW guys are the ones without real long-term plans, because they are looking for the quick big bucks, gettin while the gettin's good. Remember James Watt?
Don't worry about the environment, because these are the end times so it doesn't matter? These are the same guys, only more firmly entrenched.

[quisp]

19. It's much better to be FOR something...

like fairness, justice, education, public safety and health, and living wages.

If you are only AGAINST things you turn (and can be dismissed as) to cynical and bitter and then you're just misrable.

[LWolf]

14. From my perspective:

I can't really speak for all progressives, or for all democrats. I can tell you what "progressive" is from my perspective, Democrat or not.

Progressives tend to focus on issues. The issues are those of social and economic justice and responsibility. The issues come first. The point is for America to continue to grow and evolve into a "better," i.e. a cleaner, healthier, more socially and economically just nation. Political actions, plans, maneuvers, or players that are moving us forward in that evolution get our support. Those that aren't, don't. Progressives say and do what is right for that progression, whether or not the majority goes along with them.

The best example of a "true, modern progressive" I can offer you is Dennis Kucinich. http://www.kucinich.us/

Where can you find info on the "modern" Progressive Movement? Since you asked about progressive Democrats, try the Progressive Democrats of America.

http://www.pdamerica.org/

[daninthemoon]

17. Thanks for the link and for the definitions.

[LWolf]

20. You are (both) welcome! n/t

[wildhorses]

18. thank you

for this response and the links provided

[eridani]

23. Yes, the issues are the thing

If you buy into most of the stuff on the Kucinich website policy section, you are progressive.

[LWolf]

28. sigh

Remember the public works part of his primary platform? It would sure come in handy now, both to help employ the displaced, and to cleanup and rebuild destroyed areas.

[DistressedAmerican]

15. Progressives DO The Things The Centrists Only Talk About.

For example,

Joe Biden said during the COndi confirmation hearing that some senators would vote against her and that those people "were doing the nation a service" by questioning her nomination. He turned around and voted FOR her. I can only conclude that he did a DIS-service for the nation.

The progressives ACTUALLY voted against rather than just pontificating on it.

Centrists say the right things to keep the left placated and then turn around and vote with Bushco. All talk, no action.

[jayfish]

16. Someone Who Is Afraid To Call Themselves Liberal. -NT-

Jay

[incapsulated]

21. Bingo n/t

[mitchtv]

24. saved me a post Jayfish

glad I looked first

[wuushew]

22. Two words

Dennis Kucinich

[OnionPatch]

26. I would have to agree with those who say

that a lot of it has to do with the free-market policies. True progressives will not support economic policies that are harmful to working Americans. True progressives will not let our environment be despoiled for profit. Ever. The centrists are very wishy-washy on these things. Progressives stand solid on those issues.

[Armstead]

27. Progressives face up to issues of wealth, power and social justice

The corporaste status quo has been leading us down a dark road for at least 30 years. Things have gotten way out of balance, as wealth and power become increasingly concentrated into fewer and fewer hands.

Liberal Democrats see government as a necessary counterbalance to protect the interests of the middle class and provide a safety net and opportunity for advancement for the disadvantaged.

IMO, progressives take that one step further to challenge the trend toward centralization and imporsonal institutions. In a sense they areconservative in believing in smaller units of community power, in addition to basic liberalism.

Both liberalism and progressives are in contrast to what are currently known as "centrists," who9 are merely a kinder and gentler form of status quo corporatists.