This is the definition of progressive?
Progressive politics is about one simple idea: that the power of the state can be harnessed for good.
Excellent, so I am indeed correct in my self-description as a progressive. Now, if only I can get all of the other progressives to also agree that the power of the state can be harnessed for evil. As it has been repeatedly, in the past and in other countries.
Then, and only then, can we have a valid discussion about exactly which areas we should indeed harness that power to attempt to do good….even, those areas where we might so attempt but will fail, for things are more complex than many imagine, in that the intention to do good does not necessarily result in a good result. Which means that, until we have conducted this audit:
We don’t believe, as John McCain says, that "the best government is the least government".
In fact, a progressive would indeed agree with McCain. Or even Milton Friedman, a fellow progressive, who most certainly believes in the possibility of harnessing the power of the state to do good, who has said that we should judge such attempts by their results, not their intentions.
How does ‘ Progressives for a minimal state’ sound?
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