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The '''Progressive movement ''' is an [[extremism|extremist]] position on the [[American]] [[far left]] and the dominant voter base of the contemporary [[Democratic party]].  

The '''Progressive movement ''' is an [[extremism|extremist]] position on the [[American]] [[far left]] and the dominant voter base of the contemporary [[Democrat Party]].  

While the term liberal describes an attitude, progressive describes an agenda.

While the term liberal describes an attitude, progressive describes an agenda.

==Origin==

==Origin==

Historically, Progressives view themselves as "enlightened" social reformers apart from the ignorant and unwashed masses. [[Gay marriage]] for example is considered a progressive social reform.

Historically, Progressives view themselves as "enlightened" social reformers apart from the ignorant and unwashed masses. [[Same-sex "marriage"]] for example is considered a progressive social reform.

===Colonialism and the Enlightenment===

===Colonialism and the Enlightenment===

===Marxism===

===Marxism===

[[File:Death-by-government.png|right|350px|thumb|Extermination of opponents by Progressive regimes, in millions.]]

[[File:Death-by-government.png|right|350px|thumb|Extermination of opponents by Progressive regimes, in millions.]]

[[Karl Marx]] took the [[Hegelian]] conception of linear-progressive history and applied the idea of   [[class warfare]] to address [[income inequality]].

[[Karl Marx]] took the [[Hegelian]] conception of linear-progressive history and applied the idea of [[class warfare]] to address [[income inequality]].

In the mid 19th century [[Social Darwinism]], with its racism and commitment to [[science]], was an important facet of Progressivism; in America however, after the [[Civil War]], many adherents of the [[Social Gospel]] movement called themselves "progressive" and advocated for [[equality]] for [[Blacks]] and social reform. For a time there was an odd admixture of atheists and racists citing a scientific basis for their beliefs, and church people, all claiming the name progressive.

In the mid 19th century [[Social Darwinism]], with its racism and commitment to [[science]], was an important facet of Progressivism; in America however, after the [[Civil War]], many adherents of the [[Social Gospel]] movement called themselves "progressive" and advocated for [[equality]] for [[Blacks]] and social reform. For a time there was an odd admixture of atheists and racists citing a scientific basis for their beliefs, and church people, all claiming the name progressive.

===Progressive era 1892-1924===

===Progressive era 1892-1924===

It was also meant to create a belief that [[conservatives]] are not able to think of a progressive future for the [[United States]].  The most famous historical usage of the term in America was in the 1890s to 1920s, sometimes called the [[Progressive Era]].  During the Progressive Era, politicians of both parties and various ideologies adopted the term, notably [[Theodore Roosevelt]], a Republican who founded the [[Progressive Party]] and implemented the [[Civil Service Commission|Civil Service Act]], and [[Woodrow Wilson]], who impossed [[segregation]] throughout the federal government.<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/2013/04/progressive-racism-paul-rahe/amp/</ref>

It was also meant to create a belief that [[conservatives]] are not able to think of a progressive future for the [[United States]].  The most famous historical usage of the term in America was in the 1890s to 1920s, sometimes called the [[Progressive Era]].  During the Progressive Era, politicians of both parties and various ideologies adopted the term, notably [[Theodore Roosevelt]], a Republican who founded the [[Progressive Party]] and implemented the [[Civil Service Commission|Civil Service Act]], and [[Woodrow Wilson]], who imposed [[segregation]] throughout the federal government.<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/2013/04/progressive-racism-paul-rahe/amp/</ref>

Ironically, progressives began using the word "[[liberal]]" in the early 20th century when the word "progressive" openly was associated with [[Marxism]].

Ironically, progressives began using the word "[[liberal]]" in the early 20th century when the word "progressive" openly was associated with [[Marxism]].

The term was revived in the early 21st century by [[politician]]s and media [[celebrities]] who considered traditional liberals too willing to [[compromise]] with moderates and conservatives. As such, the anti-democratic Marxist ideal of [[single party control]] was revived.  

The term was revived in the early 21st century by [[politician]]s and media [[celebrities]] who considered traditional liberals too willing to [[compromise]] with moderates and conservatives. As such, the anti-democratic Marxist ideal of [[single party control]] was revived.  

This revival occurred shortly before the 2006 midterm elections when liberals supported the [[War on Terror]].  It was implemented to help distance politicians from the actions of the Democratic caucus at that time.  

This revival occurred shortly before the 2006 midterm elections when liberals supported the [[War on Terror]].  It was implemented to help distance politicians from the actions of the Democrat caucus at that time.  

Progressives accused liberals who voted for the [[Iraq War]] and the [[Patriot Act]] of betraying the cause of [[socialism]].  Ironically, it was progressives in the [[Obama administration]] who used provisions of the Patriot Act that allowed for spying on domestic groups sympathetic to [[Al Qaeda]], and applied them to the Trump campaign from 2015 on to further the anti-democratic objective of single party control.

Progressives accused liberals who voted for the [[Iraq War]] and the [[Patriot Act]] of betraying the cause of [[socialism]].  Ironically, it was progressives in the [[Obama administration]] who used provisions of the Patriot Act that allowed for spying on domestic groups sympathetic to [[Al Qaeda]], and applied them to the Trump campaign from 2015 on to further the anti-democratic objective of single party control.

===Incremental radicalism===

===Incremental radicalism===

While progressives seek radical social change, it is often pursued incrementally. Two examples serve in the Obama era: Obamacare and gay marriage.

While progressives seek radical social change, it is often pursued incrementally. Two examples serve in the Obama era: Obamacare and same-sex "marriage".

Obamacare with its individual and employer dictates was designed to fail. The progressive objective of a [[big government]], [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-style [[single payer]] system was too radical a change to implement during the brief window of opportunity given between 2009-2011, when Democrats controlled both the [[White House]] and a veto-proof Congress. Progressives settled on a system that allowed private insurance companies to continue to operate, provided they sold only policies dictated by progressive regulators. A dictate that all American adults - working or not working - be required to purchase insurance, or submit to eligibility requirements for [[entitlement]] care by income means testing, was also implemented. Penalties accrued for anyone non-compliant. The plan was phased in over a period of election cycles with the hope that those who recieved a subsidized entitlement would appreciate "free healthcare," and when the plan failed would support a progressive single payer system. The single payer system then would need progressives in Congress perpetually to insure its annual funding.

Obamacare with its individual and employer dictates was designed to fail. The progressive objective of a [[big government]], [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-style [[single payer]] system was too radical a change to implement during the brief window of opportunity given between 2009-2011, when Democrats controlled both the [[White House]] and a veto-proof Congress. Progressives settled on a system that allowed private insurance companies to continue to operate, provided they sold only policies dictated by progressive regulators. A dictate that all American adults - working or not working - be required to purchase insurance, or submit to eligibility requirements for [[entitlement]] care by income means testing, was also implemented. Penalties accrued for anyone non-compliant. The plan was phased in over a period of election cycles with the hope that those who received a subsidized entitlement would appreciate "free healthcare," and when the plan failed would support a progressive single payer system. The single payer system then would need progressives in Congress perpetually to insure its annual funding.

===Gay marriage===

===Same-sex "marriage"===

The first hurdle in the [[gay rights]] movement was overcoming the progressive reform of 1950s that treated criminals as victims of psychological disorders. By the 1960s [[homosexuality]] was considered by experts and the [[court]]s as both a [[crime]] and a [[mental illness]]. Due to ethical concerns over locking people up on the basis of a psychological disorder. the psychiatric profession dropped the diagnosis of homosexuality as a mental disorder in the early 1970s. In the 1980s the states began de-criminalizing homosexuality with the idea that law enforcement resources could be better utilized elsewhere, the [[war on drugs]] for example. With Homosexuality "normalized" now, by the 1990s the [[Equal protection]] clause was being invoked for a group in the [[coalition]] of [[identity politics]].

The first hurdle in the [[homosexual rights|homosexual "rights"]] movement was overcoming the progressive reform of the 1950s that treated criminals as victims of psychological disorders. By the 1960s [[homosexuality]] was considered by experts and the [[court]]s as both a [[crime]] and a [[mental illness]]. Due to claimed "ethical concerns" over locking people up on the basis of a psychological disorder (but in reality, due to political pressure imposed by radical homosexual activists<ref name="AmericanActivism">{{cite book |title=Leaders from the 1960s: A Biographical Sourcebook of American Activism |author=David De Leon |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=1994 |pages=253–259 |isbn=978-03132-74145 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oHYD-XUiSBEC |quote=Early on Kameny developed an absolute belief in the validity of his intellectual processes and a habit of challenging accepted orthodoxies.}}</ref><ref name="Bestiality OK">{{cite web |url=https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/prominent-homosexual-activist-says-bestiality-ok-as-long-as-the-animal-does |author=Peter J. Smith |title=Prominent Homosexual Activist Says Bestiality OK "As Long as the Animal Doesn’t Mind" |publisher=LifeSiteNews.com |date=4 Jun 2008  |accessdate=13 December 2015 |quote=}}</ref>), the psychiatric profession dropped the diagnosis of homosexuality as a mental disorder in the early 1970s. In the 1980s the states began de-criminalizing homosexuality with the idea that law enforcement resources could be better utilized elsewhere, the [[war on drugs]] for example. With homosexuality "normalized" now, by the 1990s the [[Equal protection]] clause was being invoked for a group in the [[coalition]] of [[identity politics]].

===Attacks on Free Speech===

===Attacks on Free Speech===