So what is the motivation for the site?
The primary impetus behind this site is the disastrous course down which the right-wing, reactionary conservatives that run this country are taking us. Granted, part of the problem is manipulated electronic voting machines, but there is a deeper problem that runs to the core of why the American public has steadily marched into the arms of the rapacious Republican party since the days of Reagan. (To see how the 2006 mid-terms effected this general trend, go here.)
The Republican party, first of all, is better run than the Democratic party. Second of all, the Republicans have propaganda that resonates with American’s core sense of values, even though conservatism does not actually embrace those values. In a dramatic revolution using bold double-speak that would have Orwell dumbstruck, Republicans have people voting for them who are in no way benefited by having them in power.
Americans, basically, have been hoodwinked by the extremely well-run Republican machine, and the Democratic party, as well as progressives, have let them get away with it. This problem obviously has many elements to it, but this site focuses on helping Democrats and progressives do well what Republicans and conservatives do well: messaging and running a political party.
Why call it ProgressiveMovement.com?
After 2000, Vice President Gore and the Democrats should have declared themselves the real government and shadowed Bush’s every move, showing how they would do things if in control. This is not without precedent. Even without controversial elections, most established democracies have some form of opposition or shadow government to counter the current government’s policies.
Such a move by the Democrats and Gore would have provided a constant platform to promote progressive political values in a consistent, cohesive manner. Without such a vehicle, the Democrats were left to do what they always do, fight amongst each other over policy, message, strategy, and leadership.
Progressives have the best policies, we just cannot message it well enough for the public to embrace it. Poll after poll shows that on individual policy issues, the public supports the progressive solution, such as universal health care coverage. But they do not identify themselves as liberal or progressive. The purpose of this site is to push for a stronger progressive identity in the public. A progressive movement if you will.
So why is this site necessary?
1) Democrats do not know how to react as a unified party to political events. They need an example as to how to do that. The public will not support a party for long that does not appear unified, especially in the face of an opposing party that does.
2) It helps the public understand how progressives would run things, so they know what progressivism represents and will more likely vote for progressive politicians.
3) Conservatives have defined liberals negatively. Liberals have not defined themselves. Thus, the public is scared to elect liberals to run the country. Having an example of how a liberal government would work would counter those fears.
4) Similarly, a party cannot be effective unless it knows how to frame its values and policies. This is where Republicans destroy Democrats. The Dems do not consistently say the right things to powerfully portray their position to the public.
Ultimately, effective messaging and being an effective political party go hand in hand. So this site does two things: It shows how a real progressive government might work, and it demonstrates how to improve the messaging supporting progressive ideas and policies.