This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you?
By Stephen Jones
Let me respond to your call for political (or is it philosophical) self-identification with the term progressive. I am a progressive. I identify most closely with the ideal of progressivism and not
necessarily with a political party, though in recent years I have voted, not surprisingly, increasingly Democratic.
By progressivism I mean to say I believe in a democratic worldview that champions direct participation and action in citizenship. Progressivism is a political movement that supports the interests of ordinary people in their roles as taxpayers, consumers, employees, citizens and parents and sees a role in which government is a responsive partner.
In recent times, the term ‘progressive’ is often used as either interchangeable with or instead of the term liberal, but this, I suggest, is a misuse of the term. Rather, I think, progressives have always
sought to champion the rights of ordinary Americans against both liberals and conservatives.
Historically, progressive reformers sought to eliminate corruption in government, regulate business practices, address health hazards, improve working conditions and give the public more direct control over government.
As a progressive I identify closely with the progressive movements of American history and in continuing to pursue those ideals — an American democratic ideal — into the future.
Jones lives in Las Cruces.