Mitch’s post identifies an important point that progressives (aka liberals) like to ignore. In wrapping themselves in the cloak of the term “progressive” they inherit the legacy of the progressive movement of the last 100 years.
As noted in my earlier post this includes an embrace of eugenics, overt supporters of which were founders of organizations, ideas and movements adored by today’s progressives?Keynesian economics, Planned Parenthood, the World Wildlife Fund, to name a few.
The progressives were also strong admirers of Mussolini style fascism. All the prominent progressive authors and publications of the 1920s had glowing praise for the Italian dictator. This includes Will Rogers, Ida Tarbell of anti-Standard Oil fame, journalist Lowell Thomas,McCall’s and The New Republic.
What the American progressive movement and the international fascist movement had in common, and which led them to view themselves as kindred spirits in a common cause, was a hatred of what was then known as liberalism, i.e. Jeffersonian ideas of individual liberty and free markets. This sprang from a view that the state was to be an instrument of social engineering. This is a consistent theme that is seen throughout the progressive movement’s history?from Wilson and FDR to President Obama, Al Gore, and Nancy Pelosi.
