Given the bashing of a core term associated with this community and others, I think some perspective and history needs to noted.
First, the term "progressive" has existed since the late 19th century and become prominent in the 20th century. I realize that most associate terms with whatever pundits deem things to be, but that is the history. It is a word associated in tandem with liberals. We can play semantics, but the reasons for success and failure are with policies, actions (or inaction) and in a recent news event, a candidate and her campaign.
Denying the political term attached to the movements that have defined us for a century does not do "it" justice. "It" being the political and social justice movements and policies and have improved millions of lives.
Some people (and many conservatives) think that progressive is a newer term meant to rebrand "liberal" and "liberalism."
They are similarly ignorant. Progressive movements have been traditionally aligned with Democrats (or some third parties) though Teddy Roosevelt probably had the first prominent movement early in the 20th century. Obviously dynamics are were different with the parties then and several of his efforts are in direct conflict with modern day conservatism.
We can’t get caught up in misdirected anger and running away from who we are. Who we are is incredibly important. The problems with the current political climate for President Obama and Democrats in Congress can be attributed to not following through on core liberal beliefs. These beliefs are progressive and the President and Congressional Democrats should have (and need to now) state (with health care) this is what we are going to do. This is the problem and this is how we are going to help YOU. And by the way, we tried the conservative approach and this is why the system is broken and corrupt. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
We, here, all know that our nation’s deep troubles stem back to Reagan and finally we saw the end game of conservatism under W.
This is not being articulated simply, coherently, or loudly – let alone often enough. Conservatism needs to be the new "librul" because it IS. The "librul media" is actually the conservative media.
All of these things are not being addressed and we suffer – not just us here on this site, but Americans who are truly hurting because America is not being progressive enough to deal with its problems.
I happen to truly think that the election loss can be a positive event, IF Democrats lift the bullshit 60 anchor off them and push ahead. Americans want leadership. They are desperate for it. They are desperate for bold progressive ACTION. Let the GOP whine all they want. They will do it no matter what Democrats do.
Use whatever means necessary for healthcare, banking regulations and everything else. Nobody will care once the legislation is passed. What, how many votes will the GOP get by saying that libruls jammed something through when in fact most Americans like what was jammed through and oh by the way, it was jammed through because the other party took its ball and went home.