Would you consider them progressives?

[JPSartre12]

Hey guys,

Random thought here, but I was listening to a speech that self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont) gave to a union a little while back.

He describes himself as a 'progressive'. Would you consider social democrats, democratic socialists, revolutionaries, communists, etc pretty much anything that wants to change the system 'progressive'? Or would you say that progressives are rather moderate and shouldn't be associated with the real Left?

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Bernie Sanders is a reformist and isn't a revolutionary leftist. That alone stripes him of any radical credentials. He might be a progressive (depending on how you define progressive) but that isn't really saying much.

[¿Que?]

Well, the term progressive really depends on context. Usually, it is a broad term to describe all left or centrist ideologies including US style liberalism. In certain places like India, however, it can be interpreted as reactionary, as many of the Indian progressive parties have moved more towards the right. My view is that I'll avoid using that word until it has been clearly articulated in the modern radical left.

[Vorchev]

Sanders describes himself as progressive to avoid looking like a lunatic.

Anyway, progressives support welfare and professional, individual work ethic. You might call them Fabians, but nothing more than that.

[campesino]

bernie sanders is a 1930's democrat. I don't care what he says or does, or any other "progressive" politician(dennis kucinich, marcy kaptur, and friends). they have nothing to do with us or our movement.

[Prometeo liberado]

Both above posts I would deem correct. Give me an universal definition, or at least one for Revleft, and your question would probably answer itself.

[Brosa Luxemburg]

While the way they stand up to neo-liberalism is admirable, they still defend the capitalist system. That should say enough.

[MuscularTophFan]

I remember hearing somewhere that Rep. Maxine Waters was the most left wing member of congress. Not sure if that's true or not.

[Prometeo liberado]

I remember hearing somewhere that Rep. Maxine Waters was the most left wing member of congress. Not sure if that's true or not.

Again, define your terms. Waters vs Sanders as most this or that, how many angels could you fit on the head of a needle type thing. Judging someones leftist credentials in the context of the U.S. government doesn't tell much. Like being the most compassionate person in Hitlers Cabinet I guess.

[Grenzer]

Bernie Sanders sucks. He's just an ordinary liberal. I don't really like the word "progressive" because it seems to be a moral judgement more than rooted in hard science.

[mew]

Yeah, I'd like a real definition based in history...But from my (US) perspective, whenever anyone uses the word "progressive" I take it to mean a left-liberal. People who read "The Nation" and things.

[Ocean Seal]

Meh I think so, its good at the very least for getting some views out there which aren't completely about bootlicking the rich. Of course when socialism comes they will sell us out, but right now especially in the US these kinds of politicians at least try to secure some dignity for the working class.

[Mr. Natural]

I hear Bernie Sanders a couple of hours a week on two "progressive" radio talk shows. He is a typical progressive/liberal in that he criticizes the effects of capitalism but never directly discusses The System. He is just another "progressive hack" (redundant), and he is the best there is in the US Congress.

Maxine Waters is a "corrupt Democratic Party hack" (string of redundancies) who is under investigation by a "House ethics committee" (oxymoron).

The contradictions inherent in current US politics are ubiquitous and deadly, and the American people have the political awareness of a potato. I'm not making this shit up.