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In its classical sense, liberal implies someone who trusts in the market as an antidote to more ancient forms of power: the Church, nobility, inheritance, etc.
Among our European friends, "liberal" is most commonly associated with parties of the right, who trade upon the market concept as the counterpoint to social formations -- social democracy, socialism, even regulatory forms of capitalism -- that most Salon readers would recognize as their ideals.
Progressive means what it says. The Progressive tradition is a long and good one, predating American liberalism. Liberal has had its day. Leave it and let's get on knowing each other for what we really are: progressives.
