Bastardized Political Labels

As Senator Bernie Sanders and Secretary Hillary Clinton argue about who is a progressive, it illustrates that the American political class really doesn't understand the term.

A progressive is defined by incremental change toward liberal ideas whether they be fiscal or social reform. By that definition, both Sanders and Clinton fit the definition. But those who are schooled in politics know that the difference between Clinton and Sanders is really the difference between a progressive and a radical.

A radical is someone who believes in fundamental fiscal and social reform that radically changes the current system and is often unwilling to compromise on those values. That describes Bernie Sanders.

The argument is not about who is progressive but really about using political terms correctly. Sanders is a radical and Clinton is a progressive. Sanders is a radical because he wants to upend our political system to move as close to Nordic socialism as possible. Clinton stresses her record of incremental accomplishment toward a similar set of liberal ideas, that is being a progressive.
If you believe that Sanders is going to be able to radically change the political system in America, then you should vote for him. If you believe that Clinton is going to be able to move the country further toward the liberal ideas that President Obama has advanced, you should vote for Hillary Clinton.

I understand the youth vote going for Sanders. I had a youthful indiscretion myself when I voted for the independent presidential candidate Congressman John Anderson in 1980. Anderson had no chance of winning but I was disillusioned with President Carter and could not fathom voting for Ronald Reagan. In the end Reagan prevailed and I regretted wasting my vote on Anderson.

The Democratic presidential primary may initially be about passion, but as the campaign wears on, progressive values will prevail. After all, when has a radical idea ever prevailed in American politics overnight? Absolutely never and it won't happen in 2016 either. In America, liberal change happens incrementally, or simply put, progressively.