Progressivism and Its Flaws

Hubris, Arrogance, Domination, Elitism

The secular zeitgeist (spirit of the times) enveloping the United States of America is Progressivism. True to its moniker progressivism has streaked through American life with lightning speed. Since January, 2009 America has been led by a progressive national government.  

Progressivism, it must be said, is a mirage. What appears to be sweeping change for the common good is really sweeping change for those who want to control all aspects of society. Even though there are three so-called independent branches of America’s national government, the progressive zeitgeist has taken control of the tiny but powerful Supreme Court of the United States. Just recently a majority of five SCOTUS justices decided to change (or ignore) thousands of years of history by redefining marriage. Their judicial activity was not simply a redefinition of traditional marriage; it was a mandate by an elitist group of five, a mandate imposed on the people of the United States. Do not think for one moment that this most recent action of SCOTUS is the end of this matter, nor the end of their intent to change the social arrangement of the traditional family.

For progressives, the Constitution of the United States is an obstacle to “progress.” Progressives believe that only they have the intelligence and the right to decide what is appropriate for Americans. If the Constitution is an obstacle to their intended actions, and in most cases it certainly is an obstacle, then the progressive courts and the progressive executive branches of government either alter or ignore structures meant to maintain a stable and just society.

Progressivism can never be long lasting. It eventually collapses on itself. Progressivism moves quickly as the past six-plus years have demonstrated. Progressive leaders understand all too well that if they do not move quickly, they will be overthrown in the next election. Their subterfuge promises the people one thing, but they always resort to mandates to implement their way. Progressivism in the early to mid-twentieth century had elements of conservative thought present within its ranks to check some of the inane, intended changes. But that internal check disappeared by the early twenty-first century. Thus progressivism is alive and well politically because conservative elements have been purged.

Progressivism is a mirage also because it does not help any citizen substantially. Contrary to what it proclaims, progressivism helps only its leaders. Leaders of any political party want to remain in charge, but progressivism propagandizes its proposals as if its programs would bring on a new and better world. In order to promote that propaganda it is imperative that progressives demonize their opposition and continue changing the political and social landscape in rapid order.

Tradition is anathema to progressivism. It cannot thrive in an umbrella of tradition. A long-running progressivism, ironically, “progresses” into a tradition of its own and when recognized, it quickly dumps its old beliefs and “progresses” to newer beliefs. Change, constant change, is the life blood of progressivism. There is no time for rest and relaxation. No time allowed to reap benefits because there are no benefits to enjoy. No time to settle in.

Traditional faith and religion inhibit progressivism. The progressive ideology cannot entertain any sentiment for religious tolerance. Progressivism’s freedom is an “anything goes” freedom that too easily garners popular votes but hardly delivers on its promised new freedoms. The recent action by SCOTUS on marriage is an exception: the SCOTUS marriage decision is a progressive mandate with intended (and unintended) consequences in the months and years to follow.

Traditional religious tenets challenge the concept of “anything goes.” It should be evident that traditional religion and progressivism are fundamentally incompatible. The way progressivism combats this challenge by traditional faith is by diluting the faith by ignoring and/or demonizing those faith groups, legislating against them, or through judicial activism.

Progressivism demands toleration except when intolerant expression opposes its agenda. Progressivism, although it is maintained by the elite with false verbiage purportedly in support of the masses, has developed the power to orchestrate mob rule, mobs composed of paid protesters, the uninitiated and the politically immature. In other words they manufacture false protests against manufactured false offenses.

Consider the aftermath of the murder of nine African-Americans in Charleston, South Carolina. A moment meant for mourning and remembrance of those who lost their lives and their surviving families has been re-directed into a condemnation of selective history and its symbols. Offenses of all sorts surfaced: flags, monuments, memorials, history. Specifically selected objects are declared offensive and must be removed, according to the mob. The secular, progressive zeitgeist seemingly is moving to destroy the past. But that is not what the mob is really doing.

The mob, directed by the progressive elite, is condemning the present because someone or something is in their way, distorting their rhetoric, or blocking their progressive agenda. Guilt, shame, and demagoguery are tactically employed. Why? Because the living saints of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church went in an unexpected and different direction, a direction guided by forgiving hearts. Forgiveness is antithetical to progressivism: it was an unexpected deviation to the progressive narrative. For progressives, forgiveness is an obstacle limiting or possibly curtailing its appetite for constant movement for change, demagoguery, condemnation, and casting blame.

Progressivism appeals to no metaphysical mooring. Any reference outside itself would establish “principle” and principle instead of constant change would be self-destructive. For a progressive to admit to any external citation is tantamount to an admission of God, another obstacle. As an ideology progressivism is a natural enemy of history, an enemy of tradition, and an enemy of principle. History exposes flaws. Progressivism's only principle is change and the obliteration of history. 

The natural evolution of this ideology yields socialism, not free markets; communism, not republican democracy; and then totalitarianism. Embodied in the select few, Progressivism personifies hubris, arrogance, domination, and elitism.