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Salon, please keep the Michael Lind essays coming. Agree with him or not, his writings are provocative, educational and a pleasure to read.
One simple message that I got from his article is that the term “Progressive” has been used historically to identify groups or temporary movements whose agendas may at times seem to follow a liberal tract, but as a way to distinguish the extemporaneous “progressive” policies from the "liberal" positions of their day. Looking back, I may at times have consorted with the progressives were I alive, because, if anything I am sometimes impatient with the slowness defined as liberal. The final quarter of the last century was the time period of chastened liberals hiding behind the term “progressive,” because the general public considered the term "liberal" pejorative primarily due to smears from the right. These smears were effective, in part, due to the linkage of the term "liberal" to enforced policies that frightened and angered many, such as affirmative action and school busing, even though my belief is that they were essentially right and have engendered increased civil rights, fairness, and a more just society.
I prefer the term liberal, as defining a philosophy of fairness, justice, freedom and shared sacrifice in order to build a community that benefits all; and a rejection of greed, bigotry, and domination of the weak - basically the morals that inspired the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, or the French motto of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
Moreover, any thinking person has the right and the responsibility to reject specific policies that they believe are wrong, even if they are the explicit policies of a group whose overall philosophy he or she shares. In other words, if I believe a liberal philosophy of governance, I may reject a specific policy considered liberal by mainstream liberals in the Democratic Party. I still remain a liberal. In such circumstances, the term “progressive” may gain popularity and temporary usefulness. It is understandable that conservatives and conservatisms’ friends in the media have assaulted and will continue to assault the term “liberal” for their own ends.
The term “liberal” can take the criticism, as it continues to appeal because of its longevity and association with the great historical movements in this country - some long term, rather than immediate. Liberalism has given us the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the New Deal, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Gay Rights and ended the Vietnam War. It also gave us the Vietnam War and has failed to produce universal health care, or end bigotry, or end the Iraq War, yet. Nevertheless, I embrace the label and the philosophy, and will weather its failures.
