What is a "Progressive"? A "Leftist"? A "Socialist"? Do you really know? Bernie doesn't, does he?

2016-02-28T12:03:36-05:00

You can run but you can't hide these days. We're not just embroiled in a Presidential election, we're embroiled in an ideological debate, and the temperature is rising. People are so confused that they have elevated the clowns to ringmasters in this circus we call politics.

Much of the heat I see generated by these debates and rants is the result of the simple fact that most people are using the same words to mean different things. The Left claims that Fascism is on the Right while claiming that socialism is a child of the Left, but Fascism was socialistic. I've seen the right claim that “Liberals” are the fount of all evil, but “liberal” is the love of liberty. (Meanwhile, the Left has jumped all over this mistake and taken the title of “Liberal” even though they espouse strong central control and authority which is contrary to individual liberty.)

Thus, before getting lost in the weeds arguing over politics with friends and family, I highly recommend that you take the time to learn the terminology and make sure that you and your ideological opponents agree on the terms, otherwise you'll just waste your time while raising your blood pressure.

Hillsdale College is offering a free on-line course, The Presidency and The Constitution, which defines many of these terms and helps you understand the underlying conflict between the Left and the Right. Who knows, you may discover that you are on the other side. Are you certain?

http://online.hillsdale.edu/course/pres101/schedule

The Presidency and the Constitution - Course Schedule - Hillsdale College Online Courses

President and Professor of History and Politics,2000. B.A., Arkansas State University, 1974; M.A., Claremont Graduate School, 1976; Ph.D., 1985; director of research for Mr. Martin (now Sir) Gilbert, Merton College, Oxford, 1977-80; editor, Public Research, Syndicated, 1980-85; president, The Claremont Institute, 1985-2000; founding chairmain, California Civil Rights Initiative, 1996; director, Henry Salvatori Center of Claremont McKenna...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-02-28T12:41:46-05:00

All these parties are worthless vote for what you believe is right.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-02-28T13:46:49-05:00

I heard about the lecture series on Mark Levin's radio show. I've got it bookmarked and have already completed the first of the series.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made Feb 28 at 2016 2:40 PM

2016-02-28T14:40:26-05:00

You are correct. The labeling of parties ideology has gotten all mixed up. You are correct for the TRUE meaning of a "Liberal" but in the late teens/early 20's of the 20th Century the "Progressive" party so corrupted the "progressive" moniker that they had to look for a new "label" and took "Liberal."
That led to the term "CLASSIC LIBERAL" which actually espouses the ideals of "Liberal"
In Europe the ideologies between "Liberal" and "Conservative" are reversed in their meaning when compared to the US.
"Classical liberalism is a political ideology and a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law and emphasizes economic freedom. Classical liberalism developed in the 19th century in Europe and the United States."

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 28 at 2016 3:49 PM

2016-02-28T15:49:12-05:00

CPT Jack Durish - Captain;

If you divide the world's political spectrum into seven general categories "Far Left", "Left", "Center Left", "Center", "Center Right". "Right", and "Far Right" then divide each of those categories into " - ", "neutral", and "+" so that your scale now runs from "Far Left -" [equaling 1] to "Far Right +" [equaling 21] :

• Canada’s “New Democratic Party” probably comes in around an “8” or “9” (sort of “[Moderate to Conservative] Center Left”) ; and

• Canada’s “Liberal Party” probably comes in around an “11” or “12” (sort of “[Center to Conservative] Center”); and

• the "Libertarians" probably coming in around "12" to "13" (on the "Center" - "Center Right" border); and

• Canada’s “Conservative Party” probably comes in around a “13” or “14” (sort of “[Progressive to Moderate] Center Right”); and

• the Democrats probably come in around "14" to "15" (sort of “[Moderate to Conservative] Center Right"); and

• the Republicans probably come in around "16" to "17" (sort of [Progressive to Center] Right"); and with

• the T.E.A. Party probably coming in around "17" to "18" (sort of “[Center to Conservative] Right".

The vast majority of world politics is probably in the "7" ("Progressive Center Left") to "15" ("Conservative Center Right) range.

[NOTE – “Kleptocracies” and “One-Man-Band” governments don’t really have “politics” as we generally consider them to be.]

On the other hand, you can always adopt the US system where anything that isn't staunchly reactionary and ravingly favorable to completely unrestrained capitalism is "Communism" and be done with it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 8:55 AM

2016-02-29T08:55:48-05:00

Just as there are differing opinions regarding the efficacy of different approaches to economics, social policies and social justice, there are also competing opinions on history and how certain words should be defined. I agree that it makes sense to understand someones definition of socialism, before arguing socialism with them.. however it doesn't make sense to get all wrapped up in the definitions debate instead of discussing the issues.

I'll site as an example the title of this thread. Sanders definition of progressive, leftist, and socialist may not align with what Hillsdale college has accepted as definitions but dollars to donuts they do align with how large segments of the population and other (most) educational institution define those words. The important thing here is to understanding what they mean when they use certain words, accusing them of not understanding the "correct" meaning of those words (because they are not using the definition that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside) doesn't move the discussion forward.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Mar 1 at 2016 3:50 AM

2016-03-01T03:50:41-05:00

"Progressives" is how liberals choose to self-identify after the term "liberal" acquired a stigma. It doesn't change anything though.