I am a Progressive.

[kentuck]

I am not a Moderate. I am not a Conservative. I believe in open debate and free speech. I don't expect any place to believe exactly as I do. I don't think I would want to be at a place like that?

I think I am a very tolerant person. At least, I try to be. I have grown more tolerant as I get older.

I do believe in progressive values. I believe workers should share in their own productivity. I believe in healthcare for all. I believe in a progressive tax system. I believe in equal rights for all.

Also, I believe that equal justice has to be the cornerstone for any government. I do not believe anyone, President or anyone else, is above the law. I believe the military defense industry is more of a threat than a protector of our nation.

I believe the "global economy" is a way to destroy the standard of living in this country so corporations and multinationals can make a fortune off the cheap labor in developing countries. I do not believe any of these exploiters should have advantage of our tax system, as they do now.

I do believe in sharing the wealth because I believe that labor creates all wealth. Because wealth is power, I believe the Democratic Party has to use the tax system to level the playing field.

I believe that all work is honorable and that all work should provide a means for survival. I believe that government is good and that it (we) should provide for those that are not able to take care of themselves, including the many homeless in this country. I think it is a disgrace that we allow people to make huge profits off the illnesses of others.

I believe both political Parties have become enslaved to the corporate dollars that fund their campaigns and that most of them look at public service as a career. Also, I believe they are overpaid for the positions they hold. I do not believe they should expect to be paid the same as some in the so-called "private sector".

I believe that thoughts create words and that words create emotions. I believe that emotions can create actions and actions can create deeds. I believe strongly in the power of words.

I believe that I am my Brother's Keeper. What we do to the least of these, we do to ourselves.

Contrary to the conventional wisdom, I believe most of the people in this country are progressive in their thoughts. They do not believe that greed is good. They believe in helping their neighbors. They believe in fairness. Those are basic tenets of the progressive values which I share with them. They are not bad people. They are ignorant people that have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the powerful media propagandists in this country.

Finally, I should say, that I believe the only way to save this country from the depths we have sunk is by progressive ideas. I believe those ideas are worth fighting for.

************
"In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place. It is slavery to be amenable to the majority no matter what its decisions are." -- Gandhi

[w8liftinglady]

1. I love that. Thank you for sharing. I am,too.

[Denninmi]

2. Great post. Completely agree.

We need to spread the message far and wide. I know it's hard, the "other side" has all of the advantages. I think it's time for our own grass roots movement. We should out teaparty the teaparty.

[tavalon]

3. kicked and recced.

Well spoken and well thought.

[jtown1123]

4. I agree with everything except for the overpaid part. The salaries for Congresspeople are generous,

I believe around 174k, which sounds high, but in reality, they work almost 80 hours a week so it's not as great as it seems. Their staff gets paid a pittance (25k for staff assistants, a bit higher for legislative correspondents and Legislative assistants make about mid 30s, which in D.C., is pretty rough to live on).

[Bluenorthwest]

44. Oh, please! Congressional staffers top at 25K?! You are insane!

The entire capitol crawls with people being paid high dollar to do zip. I love this concept of yours that the salary is the entire compensation. Dig their benefits, pensions, expense accounts, transportation options, the presence of a full medical clinic on sight, a subway to help them arcross the street to their offices, which are huge, staffed, stuffed with expendables we buy for them on command.
Tell me where else you think Bachmann could get paid that kind of money. Name one place that would pay her like that.
I love that you think these bastards work 80 hours. Hilarious. Utterly hilarious.

[Catherina]

5. Rec'd in total agreement. n/t

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. Nice. K&R.

[CherokeeDem]

7. Me, too!

I couldn't have described my beliefs any better.

Beautifully written and expressed. There is only one way out of the mess that has become the norm for this country. We must fight for the progressive ideas that you presented.

[SidDithers]

8. So am I...nt

Sid

[dkf]

9. I think this country is in decline and to make people think the Government will be able to preserve

Our higher standard of living is a lie.

We are not superior to the rest of the world. We will not be able to use all the world's natural resources for ourselves, as we have been. Times are going to be tough for everyone as we are unable to keep promises made.

Progressive values can keep things afloat for a bit, but not forever as it does not naturally produce the dominance needed to perpetuate our standard of living. Even our capitalist system can't overcome other countries ascendence.

[kentuck]

10. The standard of living is not the only progressive value...

There are values that have nothing to do with capitalism or money.

[Hello_Kitty]

13. Times will not be tough for the rich, though.

Your heroes will continue to live large off the backs of working people.

[dkf]

35. From what I see they are making money off the backs of the Chinese.

They're no longer exploiting American workers because they don't use American workers.

[kctim]

11. .

How can you expect people to support you're progressives values, if you "don't expect them to believe as you do?"

[kentuck]

12. I hope they believe as I do...

On merit and good judgement, not on political Party or dogma. History is a good guide to the future.

[kctim]

14. History shows

that while people may agree with a 'progressive' outcome, they do not support the 'progressive' route to attain that outcome. 'Helping ones neighbor does not mean paying government to help your neighbor for you,' and all that jazz. That's belief, not Party or dogma, so how do you get them to support you're beliefs over their own?

[kentuck]

15. History shows that nothing good was ever gained without a fight...

And that most things good in this country came from progressives, with moderates and conservatives yipping and yapping at their heels with every step.

[kctim]

18. That again, is no more than what YOU believe

and does not answer how you expect to get others to support what YOU believe instead of what THEY believe, IF you don't expect everybody to believe as you.

And of course progressives believe that most things good came from them. Doesn't mean everybody else believes in their definition of 'good' or that it is even true though.

[kentuck]

19. One thing I can assure you.

I am not a Republican masquerading as a Democrat.

[Enthusiast]

39. Plus one.

Too bad that can't be universal on the DU.

[kctim]

49. Nor am I

In fact, just like 80+% of the Democratic Party, I am a moderate. A Democrat who truly does not expect everybody to believe as I do and who is truly tolerant for I do not label those who do not totally agree with me as being a Republican.

[Enthusiast]

65. Unless they are.

[Enthusiast]

38. Most good things about this country

did come from progressives. Our founding fathers were progressive or they would not have even founded this nation. It isn't a matter of belief it is a fucking fact.

[kctim]

46. That's just as silly as those who claim we were founded as a Christian nation

The founders were a mix of all political stripes, just as we are now.

I do give you credit though. Seeing how our founders created a Constitution big on individual rights and limited government, its not often people try to claim the founders were staunch progressives.

[Enthusiast]

54. But they were progressive.

Look at the tradition they came from. The government they created is a radical progressive departure from what came before it. My claim isn't at all silly, it is accurate.

Why are you even here?

[kctim]

59. LOL, ok

A 'progressive' departure from what they had back then equates to them wanting 'progressive' policy by todays terms, despite the fact that they severely limited the government they created.

Why am I here? Because I am a Democrat, was raised a Democrat and believe the Democratic Party is what is best for my country at this time. NOT because I am a progressive cheerleader who wishes to live in a vacuum.

[Enthusiast]

64. LOL?

Limited government they created? Like the Tea Baggers of today imagine as an ideal? Again, why are you here? You will not convince me and the rest of the REAL Democrats here to convert to some Ron Paul ideology.

[fascisthunter]

61. And I Think it is why the Conservatives are trying to destroy it

they see this government as a "radical progressive departure from what came before it"

[SlimJimmy]

74. Actually, they DIDN'T create a Constitution big on individual rights.

They had to amend it to make it that way.

[molly77]

50. Most good things about this country did come from progressives

and socialists. Just watching Bernie Sanders in his filibuster helped me to see how much we have lost. It was interesting when he said that the only time he hears talk of repealing NAFTA is during the campaigns. The rest of the time in the Senate, it is not talked about.

Great post. Love the way you think and write.

[Enthusiast]

55. Thank you, Molly........nt

[fascisthunter]

62. damn straight

[BOG PERSON]

67. whoa what?

progress isn't a fact, it's a matter of perspective.

[Enthusiast]

71. From the perspective of the colonists

living under a repressive monarchy, phrases like "All men are created equal." and "We the people." indicate to me that our founding fathers were in fact extremely progressive. Do you suppose their actions or the documents they created were "moderate" or regressive in some fashion? For the time in which they were created these documents established the most progressive nation in all of history. This isn't even open for discussion.

[Edweird]

16. I've noticed that people are very Liberal when it comes to policies that affect them.

I think that peer pressure/herd mentality is what keeps conservatives (in BOTH parties) in power.

[Enthusiast]

40. I think it is from campaign contributions

from corporate entities that insist on results.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[me b zola]

20. Well said. Thanks for taking the time to write this

:thumbsup:

[tomp]

21. worth fighting for?

we won't get justice without a fight....a big damn fight.

[bluestate10]

22. You lost me half way through. nt.

[salib]

23. Yep

Me too

[bluestate10]

24. I shared the values, but then it veered off into caricature. nt.

[Ikonoklast]

33. He's grown more tolerant as he grew older.

Except for people with a differing opinion than his.

[TheKentuckian]

27. He was just getting to the good bit.

Unless it bugs when the discussion turns to a saner distribution of resources.

[Plucketeer]

32. Me too n/t

[unkachuck]

25. K&R....n/t

[lunatica]

26. I proudly stand by you and proclaim the same ideals as you have so eloquently written

I believe that I am my Brother's Keeper. What we do to the least of these, we do to ourselves.

[DeadEyeDyck]

28. ..

[emulatorloo]

29. Kick and Rec!

[slay]

30. Me too

great Gandhi quote at the end too.

[jotsy]

31. I rec'd the heck out that Sir Tuck

and request permission to address your hecklers.

[cate94]

34. K & R

[democrank]

36. Bravo, kentuck!

I agree with every single word you wrote.

[Enthusiast]

37. kentuck, I believe in you.

I wish you were on the ballot in some capacity where I could vote for you.

[delightfulstar]

41. K&R, from a fellow Progressive n/t

[Le Taz Hot]

42. K & R

Another good 'un.

[Beam Me Up]

43. Do you believe you can achieve these values through the established political system?

I no longer believe that is possible, thus I no longer consider myself "progressive". I do not believe in the continuation, much less the "progress" of the current system. JFK said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." I believe he was right.

[TBF]

45. It's not the democracy, it's the capitalism that makes this impossible. nt

[Laelth]

52. The term "progressive" refers to a specific period in American history.

1890-1920, specifically. It was a rather enlightened and "leftist" age, politically, and it pre-dates modern liberalism, i.e. F.D.R. Teddy Roosevelt was the foremost progressive of his day. He was famous for saying things like this:

"Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government, owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day."

If you agree with that statement, then you are a progressive (using the term in its accurate, historical context).

For what that's worth.

-Laelth

[a2liberal]

47. K&R (n/t)

[blindpig]

48. Well, that explains your confusion.

You want non-capitalist stuff in a capitalist world.

Can't have it both ways.

[bvar22]

53. That is simply not true.

Regulated Capitalism and a strong progressive wealth tax WILL achieve the OPs results.

The USA started in that direction in the decades after WW2,
and produced a vibrant and expanding Middle Class,
yet people still Got Rich.

[blindpig]

57. Regulated Capitalism is a mirage...

or at best a temporary expediency.

The post WWII period was an anomaly when the US was the only industrial power left standing, the worst aspects of capitalism were exported to our economic colonies. There is also the issue of the Cold War when there was another model of economy competing, appearances need be kept up. Those conditions no longer apply, capital is back to business as usual.

[bvar22]

60. You offer ideological dogma.

I offer life experience of actually living in the 50s - 70s,
and travel in European countries where they have successful systems of regulated Capitalism and public ownership of essentials.
Blended Capitalism DOES WORK.

[blindpig]

72. And what is happening in Europe now?

Roll back, same as here. Ya gotta look at the whole movie, not just stills. Capital will have the whole ball of wax, increasing and consolidating accumulation is the basic nature of capitalism, it can do nothing else lest it falter. How can you deny what is before your eyes?

[bvar22]

73. Then you look at the whole movie.

We have lived under a Privatized/De-Regulated/Free Trade Economic Model.
It was called the Gilded Age.
It failed miserably except for the top 1%.
We are headed there again.
So is Europe.

The system that worked the best WAS Regulated capitalism with Public Ownership of Essentials.
That one worked well.
Lets do that again.

[blindpig]

75. And when exactly was that?

When did the public own the mines, farmland and factories?

The period of regulated capitalism ran from FDR's second term to the passing of Taft Hartley and has been steadily eroded ever since, becoming an avalanche as we watch. We managed to get by on fumes until the seventies, but T-H rendered unions toothless and along with the Red Scare took away the only ability that workers had to rattle the cages of the ruling class.

Same with Teddy Roosevelt's Trust Busting, how long did that last? The managers of capital must perform with due diligence and that means seeking every advantage for the benefit of the investors.

So OK, strike mirage and replace it with ephemeral.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

51. I'm with you, Kentuck.

That's the country I grew up in, that's what I expect from my political Party, and that is what I want for our future.

And we will have to fight tooth and nail to make sure it happens. The deck is stacked against us -- the rot that killed the GOP has infected the Democrats and is dangerously close to taking over. Liberals/Progressives will heve to exert every ounce of political and financial pressure they can muster on the Party.

I fear we, as a country, are in an downward spiral towards the kind of country that most of us will not recognize. :( Can it be saved? I am not sure, but I will try my damnedest and stand with folks like you in the attempt.

[Arkana]

56. Um...fantastic, I guess?

You're just like 95% of the other people on this board.

[timdog44]

58. I too am a progressive

Thank you for the intelligent post of how I believe. The bottom line is not business. Business will take care of itself no matter what happens. The bottom line is not money, either. It too will take care of itself. The bottom line is the people of our great country. They can not always take care of themselves, and so, we, the people, have to take care of them. And that is done by a government that is of and for people, and not business, and not money.

[Raine]

63. In TOTAL agreement! nt

:thumbsup:

[BOG PERSON]

66. We know it to be true...

...of every organism that the rhythm, form and duration of its life, and all the expression-details of that life as well, are determined by the properties of its species. No one, looking at the oak, with its millennial life, dare say that it is at this moment, now, about to start on its true and proper course. No one as he sees a caterpillar grow day by day expects that it will go on doing so for two or three years. In these cases we feel, with an unqualified certainty, a limit, and this sense of the limit is identical with our sense of the inward form. In the case of higher human history, on the contrary, we take our ideas as to the course of the future from an unbridled optimism that sets at naught all historical, i.e. organic, experience, and everyone therefore sets himself to discover in the accidental present terms that he can expand into some striking progression-series, the existence of which rests not on scientific proof but on predilection.

"Mankind," however, has no aim, no idea, no plan, any more than the family of butterflies or orchids. "Mankind" is a zoological expression, or an empty word. But conjure away the phantom, break the magic circle, and at once there emerges an astonishing wealth of actual forms -- the Living with all its immense fullness, depth and movement -- hitherto veiled by a catchword, a dry-as-dust scheme and a set of personal "ideals."

I see, in place of that empty figment of one linear history which can be kept up only by shutting one's eyes to the overwhelming multitude of the facts, the drama of a number of mighty Cultures, each springing with primitive strength from the soil of a mother-region to which it remains firmly bound throughout its whole life-cycle; each stamping its material, its mankind, in its own image; each having its own idea, its own passions, its own life, will and feeling, its own death. Here indeed are colours, lights, movements, that no intellectual eye has yet discovered. Here the Cultures, peoples, languages, truths, gods, landscapes bloom and age as the oaks and the pines, the blossoms, twigs and leaves -- but there is no aging "Mankind." Each Culture has its own new possibilities of self-expression which arise, ripen, decay and never return. There is not one sculpture, one painting, one mathematics, one physics, but many, each in its deepest essence different from the others, each limited in duration and self-contained, just as each species of plant has its peculiar blossom or fruit, its special type of growth and decline. These Cultures, sublimated life-essences, grow with the same superb aimlessness as the flowers of the field. They belong, like the plants and the animals, to the living Nature of Goethe, and not to the dead Nature of Newton. I see world-history as a picture of endless formations and transformations, of the marvellous waxing and waning of organic forms. The professional historian, on the contrary, sees it as a sort of tapeworm industriously adding onto itself one epoch after another.

[unapatriciated]

68. good post and agree with all except this...

"that all work should provide a means for survival"

Work should provide more than just survival. Minimum wage barley does that and in most cases not. We need to strive for a living wage, one where we can once again provide more than just surviving for our families.

other than that great post.

[KoKo]

69. A thoughtful and reasoned post. K&R........Good Read.

[saras]

70. Just about perfect

The only part I disagree with is "I am not a moderate."

Just because the country is spiraling down the toilet to the right, doesn't mean your attempts to go straight forward have changed in direction any.

[russspeakeasy]

76. Me too. Thanks for the well written post.