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W_HAMILTON

(10,527 posts)

6. I'm sure someone will chime in with some intricate delineation...

Thu Jul 9, 2026, 10:36 AM

Thursday

...but fact of the matter is, there is no true difference, at least not here in the USA.

To me, it seems as though "liberal" got turned into a slur by Republicans, so some on the left started calling themselves "progressive" instead. And then recently, with the new fad being to bash the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Democratic establishment -- dun dun dun! -- "liberal" became what some on the left referred to those on the left that were not sufficiently far enough left as they demand.

So, big picture, in our 50% +1 takes all system, it's just yet another way to divide those on the left so that it makes it harder to keep our coalition together to win elections.

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Highlight:

What is the difference between a progressive and a liberal? [View all] Walleye Thursday OP

liberals occasionally justaprogressive Thursday #1

That's my impression. So I guess that makes him part of the "establishment" Walleye Thursday #11

Historically, by the Progressive Era bucolic_frolic Thursday #2

Both do both paleotn Thursday #5

Can't entirely agree or disagree bucolic_frolic Thursday #7

You couldn't slide piece of paper through the difference paleotn Thursday #3

Agree. It's lost all meaning. BannonsLiver Thursday #26

Progressives stand for progress and change Fiendish Thingy Thursday #4

I'm glad you noted "stand for" progress and change. W_HAMILTON Thursday #8

Well, I was referring to progressive politicians specifically, not voters Fiendish Thingy Thursday #14

Yes, it is standing up for one's values. W_HAMILTON Thursday #19

Like I said, a debateable strategy Fiendish Thingy Thursday #25

It's your civic duty to vote. It's either or. Walleye Thursday #43

I agree casting a ballot should be mandatory Fiendish Thingy Thursday #46

I get the feeling that the purpose of elections, to determine the will of the people, is being buried somehow Walleye Thursday #51

I'm sure someone will chime in with some intricate delineation... W_HAMILTON Thursday #6

This is what I think, too. CrispyQ Thursday #16

I think in this particular election being against Trump is enough Walleye Thursday #44

Some are hip buzzwords Keepthesoulalive Thursday #52

lets divide progressives. rampartd Thursday #9

simple Whip-poor-will Thursday #10

Liberals are more about individual freedom; progressives want to build new structures muriel_volestrangler Thursday #12

This Progressive is so far left of left... ZDU Thursday #13

Thank you to everyone who answered. It's all very interesting. Walleye Thursday #15

Agree - whether people like it or not we have a two party system in America. walkingman Thursday #18

The two party system is a huge part of the problem. The Madcap Thursday #31

I do wish we has a parliamentary system. I also wish we were a democracy instead of a democratic republic walkingman Thursday #36

Joe Biden managed to get some bipartisan legislation passed Walleye Thursday #45

And if they don't like the two party system, they can feel free to think of it as 100+ million party system. W_HAMILTON Thursday #37

The word "Liberal" has numerous meanings and different usages. LeftInTX Thursday #28

I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism" LeftInTX Thursday #34

There are many people who feel the same way we do politically, but they refuse to participate. I don't know what Walleye Thursday #47

The way I look at it is this.... walkingman Thursday #17

I described myself as a proud Democrat Walleye Thursday #24

I'm a "big tent Democrat" LeftInTX Thursday #33

Message auto-removed Name removed Thursday #20

I have always identified myself as a liberal for one very simple reason Peacetrain Thursday #21

I'm a liberal and proud of it. Raftergirl Thursday #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Prairie_Seagull Thursday #23

Incrementalists within the system vs. Reformers who think the system is broken Sympthsical Thursday #27

Progressives are Liberals Progressive dog Thursday #29

A sliver. RandySF Thursday #30

Progressives are more idealistic, less pragmatic... BH liberal Thursday #32

What is the benefit of this question? We all need each other.... legallyblondeNYC Thursday #35

Progressives tend to work towards a group goal. haele Thursday #38

Redefined: progressive (anti-establishment, working class, good) liberal (establishment, elite, not progressive, evil). betsuni Thursday #39

In recent years, Progressives work for progress, 31j20b3 Thursday #40

They used to be called blue dog Democrats and were mostly southern. Raftergirl Thursday #48

Yes, I was just going to remark on that. In Delaware we had a very liberal Republican governor. But those days are gone Walleye Thursday #50

Lincoln Chaffee was another one. He eventually left the R party and became a D. Raftergirl Thursday #53

So did the governor I mentioned. Governor Peterson. Walleye Thursday #54

Liberals support liberty. Progressives support progress. meadowlander Thursday #41

Imo, a progressive is someone who is afraid of the word liberal. ananda Thursday #42

That is my general impression Walleye Thursday #49

there is no difference mike_c Thursday #55

I don't think there is an equivalent in the Republican party Walleye Thursday #56

Liberals are center-left and progressives are left many a good man Thursday #57

Well said! BH liberal Thursday #58