What if these were not labeled ‘progressive’ ideas, but were instead merely labeled sensible ideas?Gunnar wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 2:45 amWhat are these progressive, so called "buzzwords" that you think are a PR disaster?
Isn't defeating authoritarianism itself a progressive ideal? Do you disagree with that, or just disagree with calling it that to avoid irrationally negative PR connotations?
As I see it, establishing the needed broad coalition to defeat authoritarianism is itself a progressive action. And to be a truly broad coalition necessarily implies diversity, equity and even (dare I say it?) inclusion, which only makes Trump all the more terrified of it.
As the highly qualified classics professor and historian I have come to love and respect, I'm sure you highly approve of continuing education and funding of basic scientific research, which is one of the biggest reasons our country has become one of, if not the most, scientifically and technologically advanced nations on earth. What can be more progressive than that?
Making it easier for all eligible voters to vote while also repealing legislation designed to suppress voting by minorities or anyone else not likely to vote Republican is yet another progressive idea, in my opinion. Do you disagree with that or disapprove of it?
Guaranteeing the right of freedom of speech, including the right to fact check and expose outright lies is another progressive idea, in my opinion. I know you approve of that.
Preserving and funding the social security system, including Medicare and Medicaid, and along with it, ACA is also a progressive benefit. Isn't it?
Yet another progressive idea that has widespread approval is universal healthcare, which is enjoyed by every advanced country, at as much as half the cost per person than what we pay. What is wrong with that idea?
Authorizing the government to negotiate drug prices, so we no longer have to pay as much as 10 times the cost of life saving medicines as other nations do, is yet another good, progressive idea. Do you object to that?
Of how about granting women the freedom to make decisions over their own reproductive healthcare, including abortion?
Not granting the wealthiest of the wealthy trillion-dollar tax breaks they neither need nor deserve at the expense of least economically advantaged of us is yet another worthwhile progressive idea.
Then there is the progressive idea of finding ways to reduce the poverty rates and homelessness rates.
Which of the above do you not agree are progressive, or disapprove of?
Or how about the progressive idea of amending the constitution to end the archaic Electoral College system of electing Presidents?
I don't think any of the progressive ideas listed above are inherently evil or irrational.
And I'm pretty sure that a majority of voters would approve of most, if not all, of them.
The ‘broke’ members of MAGA simply react to anything labeled ‘progressive’ with predictable aggression and anger, yet so many of them have a difficult time breaking down and explaining what the actual problems are for them, for each of the subjects you’ve listed. And they don’t have to, because they just need to latch on to the term progressive, start to rant against it, and dodge any honest discussion from that point on.
Deny them that option and let your ideals stand on their merits as sensible. Then the conversation is forced into a different direction, because the ‘broke’ will need to argue against the concept of sensibility, which is arguably not beholden to a particular ideology.
