Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill

Islam was born in the deserts of Arabia in the early seventh century. Islam is a revolutionary, totalizing political ideology masquerading as a religion. - Ellis Washington, 2010

ClimateGate! The Hoax Has Hit The Fan!

“It ain’t (America) no more, OK?”

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Lettuce Try To Review Progressivism
  Progressivism piece by Malcolm T. Hedges

In the United States, the term progressivism emerged in the late 19th century into the 20th century in reference to a more general response to the vast changes brought by industrialization: an alternative to both the traditional conservative response to social and economic issues and to the various more radical streams of socialism and anarchism which opposed them.(1)

“The foundation of the progressive tendency was rooted in the uniquely American philosophy of pragmatism, which was primarily developed by John Dewey”.(2)

To be fair Progressives have been great forces behind a few generally perceived to be good ideas: The enactment of child labor laws, eight-hour work day, improved safety and health conditions in factories, workers compensation laws, initiatives, referendums, recalls, direct primaries, direct election of US Senators and women’s suffrage.(2) As far as I can find out that is about it.

“American progressives tend to support interventionist economics: they advocate progressive taxation and oppose the growing influence of corporations."(1)

Progressives were behind and in support of: the goals of organized labor, development of professional social workers, municipal administration, city manager systems, increased powers of city councils, National parks, wildlife refuges, environmentalism and Prohibition laws.

“Progressives who emphasized the need for efficiency sometimes argued that an elite class of administrators knew better what the people needed than did the people themselves”.(2)

“Political parties, such as the Progressive Party, organized at the start of the 20th century, and progressivism made great strides under American presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon Baines Johnson."(1) (and now Barack Obama)

Much of the “progressive mantra” seems like good ideas on paper but as so often happens it neglects factoring in the “personal power factor” which infests and perverts political people and systems.

A close examination reveals that “Progressivism” a statist ism assuming that “government” is the answer to most everything.

Government can occasionally bring practical benefits to its subjects, but as a general rule it just makes things worse.

“...Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem”.(3)

Malcolm T. Hedges

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressivism

2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressivism_in_the_United_States

3) http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

Posted by Malcolm T. Hedges on 2/3/10 at 03:03 PM
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UPSSA United Progressive Socialist States of America