In recent weeks, Glen Beck has been on a jag to define for FOXAmerica what it means to be a "progressive." http://www.glennbeck.com/...
Beck argues that progressivism = marxism. Beck's apparent mission is to define a perverted image of progressivism, so as to demonize and delegitimize progressive policy initiatives. Progressives need to respond forcefully, shouting from the mountaintops, "Glen Beck is wrong, ignorant and a liar." While it is easy to dismiss and ignore Beck as an ignorant buffoon, his propaganda techniques are sophisticated and have been effective in the past.
Just like the conservative campaign to smear the word liberal, (which was very effective), Conservatives understand that if you can successfully change the public perception of a word, you can shift the political dialog and policy landscape. Conservatives were able to make "liberal" such a bad word that many liberals felt the need to redefine themselves as "progressives." It is harder to defend the policies associated with a word if the opposition can re-define the word with a negative connotation and put into question what the word means and stands for.
Beck is trying to do the same thing to the word "progressive". He argues that that Progressives and Marxists are one and the same, with same ends -- totalitarian government control of society. According to Beck, the only difference between progressives and Marxists is the timing and means by which each ideology seeks to impose totalitarian governmental control upon its Citizenry.
Marxists seek power and control through revolution, whereas progressives seek the same level of control through evolution or incremental change.
Putting aside the fact that Beck is an ignorant buffoon with apparently no understanding of history or political theory, his argument is is a bald-faced lie and a pernicious one. It ascribes nefarious, anti-american, anti-democratic, anti-capitalist intent behind all progressive policy, which is in Beck's view -- on the incrementalist march down the slippery slope to Stalinism.
Because they lose on substance, conservatives seek to demonize, delegitimize and mischaracterize progressives' character and intentions. Progressives need to understand the importance of language and fight back, even with ignorant buffoons like Beck.
One only need to ask John Kerry what happens if you fail to respond to lies and nonsense.