The progressive platform

[imperator_mei]

For a while now I've been chafing at the lack of a conceptual model for the progressive platform. The conservatives have one: values. Now, you may not much like their values but you have to admit you know what they are, and therefor you know how they're going to act on things

Comments

[sophistimicated]

Interesting. I've been defining myself pretty publically as a Progressive, instead of a liberal, since about 2002.

[sophistimicated]

Right. Sick girl tries to make observation, commits major spelling sin.

"Publically"? WTF?

I go back to bed now.

mispellings

[xacto]

ah. at least you didn't write "pubicly"

Re: mispellings

[sophistimicated]

Yet.

[shimmerdance]

since this wasn't locked, I sent it to some of my politically active friends. I'm sure they will comment, and I'll point them to you for further discussion if they say anything worthy of your time. I want further time to read this slowly and digest before I respond from myself. But you are so right about us, and I want a solution!!!!

[xacto]

possible to expand upon "Heritage"?

[imperator_mei]

Yes, but not until I get back from Minnesota. Short form: the nation is something to be passed on to future generations. Just as we received it from the past caretakers and stewards, so now do we carry the duty build the heritage of future generations. Think ecology, think deficit, think healthy population, think thriving relations with our fellow nations.

[rope_marks]

When I hear/read "heritage," I think more about cultural traditions of the past than provision for future generations. I can't think of the word to replace it with... something about endowment, preservation, and planning for the future. Stewardship?

Are you kristan_m's partner? We've not gotten to meet yet. :)

[imperator_mei]

When I hear/read "heritage," I think more about cultural traditions of the past than provision for future generations. I can't think of the word to replace it with... something about endowment, preservation, and planning for the future. Stewardship?

Definitely on the right track. Endowment and stewardship are definitely two very good concepts, but I think they're hard sells as "principles." Besides which, I'm kinda keen on the idea of yanking the word back from the Heritage Foundation.

Are you kristan_m's partner? We've not gotten to meet yet.

Yes I am, and yes we have. I was the one heckling the scenes at James' party last weekend. Tall guy, bald, wandering about purposeless for lack of my most darling one.

[xacto]

um, and i personally would toss out "Security". but when I do that people tend to want to threaten me to prove the value of "security"... I'd vote in triplicate for a platform of just "Community and Integrity". I believe the other stuff would just follow like one's ass follows a freed mind.

[imperator_mei]

Oooh, Integrity is a good one. Maybe that could replace Honor. It lacks an adjectival form, though, whereas we can say, "Divulging the identity of a CIA operative for political payback just isn't an honorable thing to do."

I think that one could argue that Security can be folded into Justice, but that leaves a big gaping hole around national defense. It can also be used to explain things like employment security, confidence in social security, reliable health care, and so on (though these are also Community issues). Yeah, really, there needs to be something to frame the discussion of defense. How do we talk about dealing with North Korea, or Taiwan?

[xacto]

Integrityful?

[ornoth]

Glad to see you've gotten a couple responses on this one.

I think the risk here is reducing yourself to platitudes. "Integrity" and "Honor" and "Heritage" are so vague as to be meaningless.

I counterpropose a few other possibilities, which I think speak more clearly, and which might be awfully hard for someone to dig out of your list:

-Acceptance of diversity
-Nonviolence
-Compassion

See how those give you more of an idea what liberal values are and how they translate into political decisionmaking.

I'd hate to see you come up with a list of progressive values that the right wing could argue apply to themselves and their platform.

And I think "Curry" would be a good addition to the list, too. I don't think the neocons have much appreciation for a good curry...