Why keep Progressives in check?

[edhopper]

Okay, the answer is obvious when it comes to the GOP and the corporate media.
But looking back at things that have been accomplished through a Progressive agenda; Civil Rights, Social Security, Medicare, Workers Rights, Environmentalism, Expanded pre-school and Children's health care, tec...
And compare that with the pro-rich, pro-corporate, anti middle-class, anti-rights agenda of Conservatives (not to mention the most disastrous foreign policy in a hundred years.)
Why do I just see every one outside of the liberal community talking about curtailing the Progressives and bringing the Conservatives more into the mix?

[treestar]

1. I agree

Those who would be constructive are surely more worthwhile than conservatives.

Though I'm not happy with the ones already giving up.

[bigtree]

2. This is the attitude that sticks in my craw

There is a vast under-representation of progressives in many key areas of this new Democratic administration. It may well be true that the legislative balance in Congress requires that lawmakers and the WH give heed to the votes cast by conservative members, but I see the kowtowing to them as a failure of leadership by those who so readily accept that there is something more valid in the conservative position than the outright obstruction that's characterized conservative politics for decades.

[edhopper]

3. It seems to me

that the Progressive positions. Single Payer, end Iraq and Afghanistan occupation NOW, end corporate welfare and regulate Wall Street, nationalize failed banks, etc.. are not usually considered and always dismissed.
While the worse conservative garbage is given full credence.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Yes. Why cede the debate to the middle and right even before it begins?

ER: Fuck that shit! Did I say that? Oh, dear...

[Captain Hilts]

5. GWB, RR never gave speeches telling the right to shut up, did they? nt

[Autumn]

6. It's not just "every one outside of the liberal community "

I hear "liberals" saying it too.:shrug: A lot of liberals seem to be in on the search for the holy grail of bipartisanship.

[edhopper]

7. Yeah, that always works so well

[bain_sidhe]

8. Why can't I recommend this five or six times???

I'm not the most progressive person on the board, by a long shot. But even I am (apparently) more progressive than the dem caucus as a whole, which continually seems to be telling progressive members (and supporters) to "go along to get along" but NEVER seems to tell the more conservative members of the caucus the same thing.

:grr:

[edhopper]

9. And my main point;

what progressive accomplishment in the past, which was fought against tooth and nail, did not turn out to be highly successful?