@screwliberalism: For
me, a Progressive is someone who wants to move Forward with
Improvements, Freedoms and Innovation, someone who wants to find
Solutions that actually Work instead of insisting on staying in
comfortable, but ineffectual frameworks.
For example, to anyone who actually studies the subject, "Trickle
Down" economics, which is what we have been practicing since 1980, has
been a miserable failure for 90% of our Citizens and our overall
economy. We must change if we are to flourish. "Conservatives" seem to
prefer to keep trying the same thing over and over and hope for
different results.
"No man has a right to infringe upon the equal rights of another, and
that is all from which the law should restrain him." - Thomas
Jefferson.
Government exists to prevent the powerful from abusing the weak,
prevent the majority from oppressing the minority and maintain Freedom,
Liberty and Justice for All. Yes, business and corporations require
regulation to keep them from becoming abusive. Yes, we need laws to
prevent and punish violations of rights (such as murder, theft, rape,
abuse, etc). No, government has no business defining what people do in
their personal lives. People can worship who/what they want, love whom
they want, marry whom they want, think what they want and do what they
want - right up to the point where they start infringing upon or denying
anyone else the same rights.
Taxes are the price we pay for Freedom, Convenience and Civilization.
People and businesses must contribute their fair share to maintaining
out great country. Those who want to avoid doing their part, I can not
count as Patriots. People who benefit more should pay more, not less.
Giving a hungry child a meal is a lot more important than giving a rich
man another yacht.
Policy should, at all times, be guided by Reality, Honesty and Integrity.
Financial
assistance should be tied to Financial Education. If you need
assistance, we need to teach you how to get out of that situation and
earn your own way. At the same time, realizing that some people just
can't.
..... hope that is enough.
