Would this have been so horrible?

[Hortensis]

97. "They," Exiled? I am a lifelong strong liberal and

will die one. Although I'm perfectly willing to make big, even huge changes when appropriate and doable, I am not a rigidly righteous radical because I respect the needs and wishes of other groups and the need to work with others to achieve change that is supported by a majority. Very like those in the liberal and conservative progressive groups that made the New Deal take the limited form it did in spite of radical pushing for true anti-capitalism revolution.

As for progressivism, our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are both profoundly liberal and also intrinsically progressive. James Madison and other founders had no other government, ancient or present, to model ours on. It was unique in both respects in that era.

Although it's possible theoretically to be liberal and not progressive, in this era virtually all liberals in America have been very progressive for more than a century, and somewhat always. Progressivism in government and the principle of equality are the two largest differences between liberals and conservatives, the first arising from the second. That "government of, by and for the people" thing.

Btw, today's conservative attempts to banish liberalism, equality, and government of, by and for the people, with them--of course--progressive government, are merely continuations of a battle that began in the Revolutionary era. Conservatives of those days lost then but today's are determined to "fix" America now. Those few who understand what's going on, of course.