Source: James Michl

Source:The New Democrat

I just have a flat disagreement with Glenn Beck on what a Progressive is and also find myself on this weird planet if not universe, where I’m agreeing with Bill O’Reilly on anything. I wasn’t sure I could agree with Bill O’Reilly about current weather in Miami or how many states are part of the United States, because Bill is wrong about so many things. But he’s right about Newt Gingrich at least in the sense that what was a Progressive in the early 20th Century about being someone who is about progress and using government to help create that progress and what’s supposed to pass as a Progressive today (like the Cleveland Browns trying to pass as an NFL franchise) , are two completely different things.

According to Glenn Beck a Progressive and a Socialist, are the same thing. Hell, why not add Communist and say being a Communist is the same thing as being a Progressive. Even though most of the Communist ideology is regressive with how authoritarian it is and all the rights and freedom that people would lose if Communists were to some how come into power even though democratic means. Theodore Roosevelt, Progressive. Bernie Sanders, Socialist. The Progressive doesn’t want a government dominated society where most if not all of our social benefits and economic security, is provided by government and financed through our taxes. The Democratic Socialist at least, doesn’t want government completely in charge of society. But our individual freedom and personal income, would be much more limited if Democratic Socialists were to ever come to power.

Newt Gingrich is obviously not a Libertarian, or a Nationalist, has some things in common with the Christian-Right, but doesn’t roll with them on all their policies. Not a Conservative-Libertarian either, but he’s a Progressive in a conservative sense. Someone who believes in using government to create progress, but through conservative free market principles. For example, instead of just having people on public assistance just stay there and give them some money, Newt would say that those people should be looking for and getting work, as well as education so they can get themselves a good job and no longer need public assistance at all. As a condition of receiving that taxpayer funded public assistance. With is very different from a Libertarian who says that government shouldn’t be involved in public welfare at all. And a Socialist saying that government should guarantee a basic income for everyone with no conditions.

For perhaps the first time in my life I find myself in agreement with Bill O’Reilly on anything. I don’t even drink alcohol, let alone use illegal narcotics but it feels like I’m on some high and seeing things that shouldn’t be there. Like Donald Trump being President of the United States. Wait, that actually did happen. But O’Reilly’s idea of a Progressive is inline with Teddy Roosevelt’s, as well as mine. That progressivism is about progress. That the first eight letters in the word progressive is actually progress. And that being a Socialist is about socialization and using government to solve most if not all the problems in the country. With Glenn Beck believing that Progressive is another word for Socialist. Someone who believes in big government. Even though a Socialist is lot more ideological than a Progressive would actually ever be.

James Michl: The O’Reilly Factor- Bill O’Reilly & Glenn Beck Debating Newt Gingrich