Without True Progressives a Populist movement can survive.
Without True Populists a Progressive movement can not survive.
Bail Out The People
bailoutpeople@safewebmail.com
More below the fold.
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I feel as though 95% of issues between Progressives and Populists are alike, except the two real issues. Poverty and Free Trade.
So, what is progress?
If progress is a growing economy than you are wrong. A growing economy only benefits the country if we all grow with it. For the last 40 years this has not been the case. We need to redefine the word Progress so that it means something for everyone, not just those who benefit from progress initially. This is where the stock market as an economic barometer mentality comes from. It is not helping.
I know what most Progressives stand for, after reading on this site non stop for a year straight it seems pretty clear to me, but, if I'm missing anything, let me know.
I have no clue what progressive politicians stand for though, as they seem to switch between Populism, Progressivism and Corporatism as easily as a pop star switches outfits during a concert. When I read about how neither Sen. Jeff Merkley or Sen. John Tester voted for oversight on TARP I felt kicked in the gut. How often have we lived through this electoral betrayal.
So, here's the fact.
Populism will always survive. It has been there since Greece. It will never go away. Whether it is championed for the greater good or used to manipulate voters as it has been mostly in recent history, Populism is going nowhere. It is here to stay.
Progressivism, though a worthy and noble cause, has no history, no easily identifiable face, not today. If you want to revive the BullMoose party I would stand behind that, and if you tell me it's Obama I will politely disagree. Progressivism has half adopted Populism. It can not survive without it, but without a real commitment to Populism the Progressive movement will die or live half awake and always lay patsy to it's enemies. I do not want to see that happen. Without true Progressives the Democratic party is just GOP lite.
So how do we incorporate True Progressivism and True Populism to strengthen both ideas?
I leave the rest of the discussion open in the comments below.
Bail Out The People
bailoutpeople@safewebmail.com