'It is difficult to understand why so-called "progressive", "liberals", and "leftists," who so vehemently opposed the Vietnam War, now belong to the Council on Foreign Relations.
If you have read this blog before, you must know then that I have serious problems with 'so-called' liberals/progressives not the least of which is that too many lack the courage of their convictions; too many have tried to bargain with Satan. Too many are uncommitted, to be sure. But, more importantly, to what --precisely --should we be committed?
Clinton's 'triangulation' of the center merely encouraged the 'rabid right'. Teddy got it right: speak softly and carry a BIG stick. Too often the 'left wing' (for lack of an accurate term), carries a limp stick if any stick at all.
If the American left were given a 'GOP BUDGET' (like the monies gopps get from elites) the American left would be nuts if did did run rough shod over the 'right', kick 'em in their sorry asses, reduce to rubble and ruins the financial edifices put up by the Axes of K-street and Wall Street.
As for roots, modern 'progressives' should study Teddy: 'speak softly and carry a big stick!'
Now --the rank and file progressive/left leaning liberal is NUTS if he/she sits out an election because a leftist Messiah is not on the ballot!
Progressives should begin renewed organizational efforts from within the Democratic ranks and file. There is no viable 'Progressive party' as such. Read Saul Alinsky, a "leftist" activist, strategist, and tireless champion of progressive causes. Alinsky --sadly --has been adopted by the GOP and cited often in their 'campaign manuals'. I know that because I had procured some even as Tom DeLay was consolidating his base of power in S.E. Texas. In other words, he was gerrymandering the state. The GOP cannot win without cheating!
They are both crooked and stupid --a bad combination!
Apparently, the state has yet to recover from his meddling. Texas had been Democratic, often progressive/liberal. In those days, it was called the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS! With the rise of the GOP crime syndicate it is no longer referred to as 'great': education has declined; pollution has gotten worse; the prisons are full as crime rates always rise under GOP regimes. Declines of all sorts define the crooked, cult-like crime syndicate that is otherwise known as "GOP"!
My point: the GOP has practiced tactics urged by Alinsky. Why the hell have the Democratic party allowed right-wing nuts to have 'adopted' Alinsky's tactics and --worse --using them to subvert the progressive cause in general?
'The fault, Dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings!