What Are Progressive Values? 50 Responses

[Budguy68]

Social Justice is just another word for mob rule and collectivism. Progressives are just commies.

[studentofsmith]

Progressives believe people are better than they really are and are consistently surprised at the abuse of their well-intentioned programs. Rather than learn from such experiences, however, they "move forward" forever blazing new trails oblivious to the destruction left in their wake.

[howser12]

Progressivism= Collectivism

[howser12]

"Progressive" is what any arrogant jackass calls his own point of view when he cannot understand why on earth someone might disagree. I am a conservative but the vague definition of progressive given here fits even my point of view from my perspective.

[jerthemessiah]

Thses people are ridiculous.

[despisable]

Can I just be left alone?

I'll pay taxes to have military protection, police, fire, have the laws enforced, etc of that nature.

But please, though you may think me selfish, I just want to be left alone.

[jerthemessiah]

@despisable No they won't leave you alone. If you don't participate they will put a gun to you and force you into it.

[despisable]

@jerthemessiah I know that and you know that. But I want to hear this from them! I want them to admit that fact!

Too often they try to hide from this reality. They always talk about peace, love, dope, rainbows and care bears; but when someone disagrees what is their answer?

Admit it, come to terms with it! Progressivism=Soft Despotism

[JohnScott700]

What a bunch of fruit loops.

[DKPrepper]

Love, Careing and moving forward? I think they are a bunch of hippies following whatever feels good emotionly. Social justice is simply a feel good thing. I think most Progressives really woulden't feel good to apply their way of life to real life politics if they analysed the effects they have in an imperfect world. They seem like beautiful people but I think they are against business owners making more money then their employees. Thats where the drugs have done their damage.

[ucannotescape]

You Progressive Democrats can speak in Greek, Latin, or any other language you want. I don't know one educated person in California that is going to vote for another Democrat after you assholes jammed though a piece of shit health bill that is going to bankrupt the Country against the will of the people. All these Progressive want is big Government and big taxes. The Government can't even run a one car parade let alone USPO, Amtrack, Medicare, Medicaid, their all bankrupt! Throw these bums out!

[jcmurray88]

This video would be a lot more effective if the people asked actually knew what a progressive was instead of the definition of progress. All of the definitions were conservative values, or an "i deserve something for nothing" mentality

[Poopfettish]

To add most of these people are middle class do they not realize they are the ones being targeted for eradication by this socialist movement

[Idefaulttofreedom]

Scary.

Looks like Democracy and social/economic justice were said the most which is the exact opposite of what the USA, Constitution and Federalist papers are about.

We are a Republic built on economic freedom/capitalism. I don't understand why people like this live in the USA? If this is what they want, there are plenty of other countries that embrace their principles.

I work hard for me and my family-Period! Not so some ass can come take my earnings from my talents and give them away.

[rock90123]

and exactly what values are those?

[hydin1]

progressive = communist I did it in two words.

[2012vote]

Do these people fart rainbows?

[jkiene]

Caring is about individual choice and freedom and not big brother forcing the governments values on the individual. Social Justice is code word for force equality, period.

[jkiene]

notice most of the answers are emotionally based...Based on Fairness and Utopian view. Good example is the boy scout story. He almost started to cry

They can't accept competitiveness because they have themselves have been cheated somewhere in life....

[Dewdat1]

Sounds like this could be done through Salvation Army or something. just people getting together helping other people out. Does this have to be done by the Gov? Couldn't I just donate my time and money to help someone out, on my own?

[bgsdfhugvufbgv]

im pretty sure social justice is spreading the wealth around. sounds a bit like communism..

[McDaidUSA]

Great idea, and some great responses in the video... I like what i hear... i assume you are planning to edit it down. The other video i saw also on your channel, on the radical right = psychopathic values, is something I was waiting to see become a cultural meme... and your video shows that it is headed there... we all have to come to grips with what must be done to unmask the psychopaths controlling our society.... its not pretty

[pitbullmomma5]

Total psychobabel. This leads to nothing but totalitarianism. These people are looking for someone to deal with issues that they are unwilling to do for themselves. But unfortunately they will hate being told how to lives by their government which is what ultimately happens. Government is not capable of nurturing only people can.

[aicram62]

It's not total psychobabel, We're saying that this is HOW we want to deal with our problems OURSELVES. We want to work together. Everyone knows when you work together the work is lighter. Governments are things people CREATE to get things done that they want DONE. They can do whatever you want them to do, provided you keep them form becoming a powerful entity of their own. The writers put things into the constitution to help us do just that.

[rodneyj42]

A lot of glowing words and platitudes (not unlike the rather platform-less 'libertarian' party). I mean it's probably great for preaching to the choir (and being a lifelong democrat, I'm certainly in that choir) but this video just makes a list of vague generalities and identifies the enemy (the conservatives), and to me this is just what the conservatives have been doing for the past 30 years. Let's not just be another pot that calls the kettle black.

[Jrunri]

I agree it's a lot of platitudes but I think they were just identifying the values that humanity can identify with and not outlining a platform.

[Jrunri]

And hopefully the values are of truth and humanity and just dogmas ;)

[annielwhite]

My interest is in the Person not the group. so i have to disagree. but i still support ron paul and bob barr. i am not a progressive Liberal, everything they stand for is NOT progressive liberalism.

Collective work is only good until someone is forced to, so im with you unless you are talking about force.

[Dykeborn]

Empathy is my greatest motivation. As a progressive I value individual equal rights and common good. I value evolving culture that lets go of mean-spirited traditions towards others and embraces tolerance then acceptance of other people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial structure, religion, economic status... I value being the freed to change my opinions and actions when presented with new information. I value caring and reason over tradition.

[EdwinRutsch]

progressivespirit.

com/Projects/FailedConservativ­eValues/

Conservative-Organanizations-V­alues.htm

need to reconstruct link

[EdwinRutsch]

Seems to me you're confusing ideals, principles and values. Values is what you actually do and are felt body experiences.

Principles are more mental and rational rules or laws, that are created out of values.

smaller govt, lower taxes, less govt regulation. etc are principles.

See progressivespirit (dot)com/Projects/FailedConser­vativeValues/Conservative-Orga­nanizations-Values.htm

[2008HLB]

sorry edwin, i have to disagree again, "actions" are what you actually do. Principles are defined: guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct

Values defined as: institutions, etc., of a society toward which the people of the group have an affective regard. So i think you should rephrase your video to "qualities". Selfishness and irresponsibility are definitely NOT values. I know this is a semantic debate we have here. So let's get back to what is important.

[EdwinRutsch]

Limited government, lower taxes, less regulation, are principles, not values.. we need to talk about the underlying values behind this.

"debt - HUGE problem that neither cons nor libs are really addressing" - conservatives have been in power and had the opportunity to not create the debt.. instead they created largest debt in history.. you need to take personal responsibility for it and not try to find scapegoats or relativise it.

Do you think any conservative values have failed?

[2008HLB]

NO, because the we're really NOT talking about values at all. We are talking about corrupt politicians. Those who continue to spend money that either is not theirs to spend or isn't there to begin with (fed debt)

Again, true conservative "values" are : smaller govt, lower taxes, less govt regulation, more personal responsibility to name a few. True we have politicians everywhere who have failed to realize these values. But, the debt was not soley created by cons repubs. Your anger is misplaced

[jerthemessiah]

@EdwinRutsch The value behind limited government is less violence or the threat of violence in order to enforce all of the governments laws, rules and regulations. Advocating more government is advocating more violence. The government isn't your mommy. It's a gun. Before there were guns government was a sword. The rationalization of more government is the rationalization of more violence. 

[EdwinRutsch]

@jerthemessiah I've been exploring the nature of empathy now. How would you say your values and the policies of limited government relate to the value of empathy? for example, would limited government create more of less empathy in society? I've been thinking the policies of big/little government, big/little business don't mater as much as if they promote the value of empathy. Empathy being people connecting with each other, seeing through each others eyes,

[jerthemessiah]

@EdwinRutsch How bout you be empathetic toward people that don't want a gun shoved in their face?

[EdwinRutsch]

@jerthemessiah You don't want a gun in your face, I imagine the 'gun in the face' is a metaphor for not wanting to be coerced into doing something? and you are asking for people/ or me, to be empathetic toward that? If that is the case, I don't like being coerced into doing things. I don't think coercion is empathy. But I do value empathy and wonder how we can create a more empathic society?

[jerthemessiah]

@EdwinRutsch Start with the person in the mirror and do it without violence.

[EdwinRutsch]

@jerthemessiah I didn't hear if empathy is a value for you? I'm curious if it is important to you?

[jerthemessiah]

@EdwinRutsch I value non-violence over empathy.

[jerthemessiah]

@EdwinRutsch What you are really doing is rationalizing away your own values by advocating for more goverement.

[2008HLB]

Gosh, Edwin is SUCH a nice guy. Here are a few names for him: naive, predictable and truly unoriginal. Any time someone hits a little too close to the mark, he labels them as "failed conservative values" He does this because it requires too much thought to respond to what may be the truth. Edwin, if you just hit ctrl "C" you can copy previous answers into your reponse.

[EdwinRutsch]

thanks for the comments.. Glad to hear a relatively civil tone from a conservative since usually I just get the superficial name calling comments. "naive, predictable and truly unoriginal" are fair comments, however, I do notice conservatives tend to always go on the attack instead addressing the actual failures of their values. While they talk about individual responsibility, responsibility is very rare indeed. see progressivespirit(dot)com for more.

[2008HLB]

However, you must admit, that just labeling all conservative values en masse as failed is clearly incorrect. If everyone simply did the same with liberal values, then we'd still have things like slavery, no rights for women or blacks to vote, or legal abortions. People are so angry at the "other side" that they cannot see the real reasons for their increasing lack of freedoms. I am angry with any agenda that requires me to pay more taxes. as you see it, what are the failed cons values???

[EdwinRutsch]

Paying or not paying taxes is not a value. The question is what's behind that. The value would be the failed conservative value of selfishness, - not wanting to pay your fair share to keep the society functioning. Then the failed conservative value of irresponsibility for creating a huge national debt and not taking responsibility for conservative actions. Of course not all the values conservatives hold have failed. I'm just identifying the ones that have failed.

[EdwinRutsch]

more Failed of Conservative Values

Presidential Candidate Bob Barr on the Failure of Conservative Values

democracyforamerica com/blog_posts/26088

[2008HLB]

Agreed. National debt is a HUGE problem that neither cons nor libs are really addressing. To say that selfishness and irresponsibility are conservative "values" is absolutely ridiculous. What are true cons values? Limited government, lower taxes, less regulation, personal responsibility. Let's see, ask conservative what values they hold dear and indeed they'll say "being selfish and irresponsible" You yourself need to look deeper at what is behind your anger with conservatives.

[annielwhite]

i dont think a conservative would answer you with saying "being selfish and irresponsible"

[2008HLB]

"tolerance for ambiguity"... that's a good one. And "democracy", one of the most frequently misused and misunderstood words in the world. Founding fathers did NOT want a pure democracy because then majority can strip the rights of the minority. Try these "constitutional republic" "rule of law" "limited government" "individuality" "life, liberty, private property and personal responsibility" oh yeah and opposing all these values i've listed: "socialism"

[saltydog1953]

I think of progressive values as political activity predicated on the assumption that everyone is responsible for giving meaning to their life, and the results of everyone's search are respected equally, e.g., via voting. The radical aspect of progressivism is that it asks that people work for goals shared with their community, and that this work be a regualar part of their life.

Good hearding from other progressives. Good job Edwin.

[BigFatBetty]

So I fail because I don't question the same people you question? People like you belong in a soviet gulag because if you had your way that's what this place would be.

I don't question Dick Cheney as much as I question you, Mr. Spineless.

[EdwinRutsch]

Same old FAILED CONSERVATIVE VALUES just repeated over and over again. Authoritarianism - trying to put people down with simplistic name calling.

[2008HLB]

You forgot to say "George Bush's Failed Conservative Values" Did you get your slogan straight out of the Democratic Handbook? Edwin, take a little more time to think. Perhaps the name calling is correct. Please correct me, how do you feel about Socialism?

[BigFatBetty]

I saw your election question video and I have your answer. What led us into Iraq were three hijacked jetliners and hundreds of American dead on American soil.

Do you have any more stupid questions you need answered?

[EdwinRutsch]

Your response expresses the failed conservative values of authoritarianism, condescension and mean spiritedness. Do you even question Dick Cheney?

[BlueStarMom43]

BigFatBetty: Have you done any reading or reasearch since you posted this comment 5 months ago? You do realize that Iraq was not responsible for 9/11, right?

[EdwinRutsch]

Please, rate this video and post a few comments about it here. Write your synopsis of what you feel was said and give your response. You can also help create the "What are Progressive Values" documentary by going to ProgressiveSpirit(dot)com and joining the Progressive Values study group and listserver.

[djoVida]

Very well done, Edwin. 

dj