I don't know about you, fellow readers, but I seem to be hearing the term "Progressive" more than ever during Obama's presidency. While this term is not a new word, what is new is the way in which the Progressive agenda is being vastly enacted into our daily living by the government. I started taking note of Progressivism when I heard Hillary Clinton describe herself not as a liberal, but as a Progressive during the 2008 presidential campaign. When the word itself seems to imply "progress," Progressivism is anything but. During the presidential election, I made a promise to myself that I would become publicly aware and well read on our political system. I immediately started to dive into learning more about our country's history and the sacrifices, hard work and intense determination our founding fathers had for our country.
Recently, I read Glenn Beck's book "Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of Control Government, inspired by Thomas Paine." I urge you all to read it, if you haven't already done so. Not only does Glenn Beck honestly and frankly tell us how we have gotten to the unstable place we find ourselves in, but he lays out the common sense ways in which we can find the solutions to America's problems. While the entire book is excellent and so hard to put down, I found the chapter on Progressivism to be the most eye awakening and frightening because the Progressive agenda is exactly what the Obama Administration is so vehemently pushing.
Before I discuss Obama's agenda in relation to Progressivism, it is important to fully understand what Progressivism is. This is what is so excellent about Beck's book. Beck describes Progressivism as a cancer that:
"has less to do with parties and more to do with individuals who seek to redefine, reshape, and rebuild America into a country where individual liberties and personal property mean nothing if they conflict with the plans and goals of the State." (63)
It is important to make clear that Progressivism is not held solely to one party, for it knows no party. Beck points out that if this Progressive cancer were a one-party agenda, then it would be easily treated and done away with. While Progressivism knows no party, I have seen this agenda like never before when looking at the presidency of Barack Obama. You see, one of the main aspects of Progressivism is the idea of doing something for the "greater good" of society. Sound familiar? President Obama continuously goes about doing everything for the betterment of the people. In doing so, he is doing exactly what Progressives seek to do. He tells us what room temperature our houses should be, he tells us how what our tire pressure should be, he tells us how we should be raising our kids, he tell us we should be performing community service- I could go on and on. What is he doing when he is doing this? He is using the "greater good" philosophy to enact his agenda, which in effect, leads to greater control of government in our lives.
Remember during the campaign when then- candidate Obama told Joe the Plumber that he didn't want to punish Joe when he planned to raise his taxes, but believed in the notion of "spreading the wealth" around, so that everyone could become successful? Well, Beck points out that this is a classic example of Progressivism that closely parallels another Progressive president, Woodrow Wilson who once said:
"We must demand that the individual shall be willing to lose the sense of personal achievement and shall be content to realize his activity only in connection to the activity of many." (67)
In order for the Progressive agenda to be successful, the government decides what is best for all of us. In introducing a new form of government, they literally or changing and reconstructing everything our founding fathers worked so hard to perfect. Beck lists four areas in his book that Progressives are using to shape and push their agenda: gun control, education, environment and religion. While all four of these are crucial to the Progressive movement, I am going to focus on the first two because of how strategically and swiftly the Obama Administration is going about pushing its Progressive ideals. Recent events also illustrate this as well.
Our Second-Amendment right has always been a hot-button issue. While it is a constitutional right that we may own a gun, the government seems to be against well-behaved, law-abiding citizens owning guns. Beck makes a great point in his book when he writes:
"...the government isn't anti-gun, but, by their constant introduction of new regulations and arduous requirements, they seem to be anti-YOU owning a gun.... The way flawed logic in Washington apparently works is that if you're protecting federal property or providing security to government employees, our government wants to make sure you have access to a gun. But if you want that same gun to protect your family and home, our government treats you like a common criminal." (77-78)
Readers, the reason why the government and the Obama Administration want to restrict our gun rights is because of Progressivism. They feel that our owning guns do not work toward this whole "greater good" of society notion; furthermore, in restricting our gun rights, they are able to keep control over us and continue to push their agenda. Beck is right when he says Progressives are very patient people. They know they cannot get everything they want overnight. In taking baby steps toward restricting our rights, they will eventually get their way, so while our gun rights haven't been completely stripped from us, the vast restrictions each state has regarding its gun laws is yet another step forward for Progressives in their goal to take away the gun rights of law-abiding citizens. This Progressive notion that the government knows what's best can also be seen in other areas like health care. The Obama Administration and the democrats in Congress are shoving this health care reform down our throats, when their own personal medical insurance plans won't even be affected. If their health care reform plan is so fantastic, then why aren't they going to use it? It is because once again, they believe government knows best and it's for the better good of all of us peasants.
What I found very interesting is a point Beck brings up regarding trust in government in correlation to the amount of gun ammunition purchased. Beck writes that the greater amount of ammunition purchased, the lesser the trust people have in their government. This couldn't be truer today. As soon as Obama became our president, people immediately rushed out to buy ammunition and gun sales shot through the roof. This illustrates Beck's point. Americans do not trust this man and his intentions for America, but why should they when Progressives like Obama do not trust law-abiding citizens who want to practice their Second-Amendment right?
Why should we trust the Obama Administration when those of us who own guns are being called right-wing extremists, angry mobsters and members of fringe groups all because we attend tea parties? Why should we trust them when we are put on a DHS watch list because we believe in the Second Amendment, the right to life or even served our country? Although no one was arrested during the 9/12 Tea Parties, we are still harassed and called dangerous and wrong. Ann Coulter brought up a great point over the weekend on Geraldo Rivera's show when she said Americans are safer because we have the right to own guns. While you and I know this to be true and justified, this goes against the very values of Progressivism. If you want to see how the Progressive mindset is being carried out in your state, I suggest you check out your city's gun laws. If your city lists ridiculous restrictions, then it is under the influence of Progressives. I'll give you one crazy example that Beck lists in his book for the city of New York:
"In New York City, obtaining a gun permit can take nearly a year and cost more than five hundred dollars. Mountains of notarized paperwork must be meticulously filled out, including character references and driving records, and the applicant must undergo a personal interview with a police investigator." (79-80)
See how ridiculous it is to get a gun if you obey the law? But the reason why the government puts so many steps and restrictions into acquiring a gun is that for every so many that actually take the necessary steps, there are many individuals who give up and don't go through the process because it is so tedious. This is why all of these crazy, meticulous laws are in place. This is the whole "baby steps" approach to enacting the full on Progressive agenda. It is important that you know this. While they want you to believe these laws are there just to protect people for the common good of all, you now know what is really going on.
The restrictions Progressives are enacting are the necessary steps they know are needed to outlaw individual citizens' rights to own guns. It is just a matter of time before the government puts into place a militia. Remember all that talk during the campaign about how Obama said he wanted to form a Civilian National Security Force? Well, we know this is just code-speak for the taking away of our Second-Amendment rights. As Beck said on today's show, "Why do we even need this?" While we don't need this, Obama does, so he and his administration can have complete control. Don't let people tell you that you're crazy to fear the stripping of your Second-Amendment rights. You have reason to be concerned because revoking this right is exactly what Progressives like Obama want to do.
The second issue that Progressives are working so desperately to change to move their agenda forward is education. We saw this most recently when President Obama requested an extended amount of time to speak with school students across the country. I have no problem if the president is invited to speak to a school, but as soon as an agenda is pushed to speak with all students, the government has gotten a little too close for comfort. The primary reason I was against President Obama's (George H.W. Bush as well) speaking to students was that it seemed as if he was pushing an agenda; moreover, there was no need for the government to prepare a lesson plan for teachers. This is the teacher's job! My dad is a teacher, and I can tell you that he is well aware of how to make a lesson plan. This is yet another example of Progressivism. Progressives seek to reshape our education system, as Beck writes:
"...we are losing the next generation to an educational system that has fallen prey to political patronage and the Progressive agenda. History, reading, writing and math are secondary to the incessant indoctrination of our kids to climate change, the evils of capitalism, and the benefits of big government. This works as a general anesthesia, numbing our children and rendering them defenseless to the lessons and ideas that we work so hard to inoculate them from in our own homes. Given the importance of education in shaping the future of America, it's not surprising that it has been a main target of the Progressive movement's agenda. During the early 1900s, Progressives increased the mandatory nature of education, which resulted in enrollment for elementary and high school age children going up, right along with public school spending. But getting more kids into the classrooms didn't matter unless Progressives could also influence what was being taught in those classrooms." (90-91)
I know first-hand that this true. While attending high school from 1995-1999, I remember learning about all of the items mentioned above to the point in which the issues and events that really mattered did not seem to get the attention needed. I never will forget my history teachers praising Teddy Roosevelt, while in reality he was a big Progressive. You don't have to look far to see this; after all, he spoke of New Nationalism, wanted national health care insurance, and endorsed a progressive income tax as Beck notes in his book. Thankfully, I am fortunate to have had parents to teach me about the history of America. I also have a love for reading. Ever since I started this blog, I have craved all things politics; thus, I spend my free time reading and studying in order to become knowledgeable about America's history. It is so important to know America's history and to know about the importance of our founding fathers, our Constitution, our Bill of Rights and presidents past and present.
Frankly, the Progressive indoctrination of our students is not only disheartening, but scary as well. The Progressives seem to be winning the education fight as they drive their agenda forward. This is not a new phenomenon. As Woodrow Wilson once said while he was the president of Princeton University,
"Our problem is not merely to help the students to adjust themselves to world life... [but] to make them as unlike their fathers as we can." (91)
When I write that I am thankful to have had my parents to teach me while growing up, Progressives like Wilson and Obama view parents as obstacles. I agree with Beck when he writes that Progressives hold children back from realizing "their full potential, value, and role in the greater community." This is also why other forms of educational experiences, such as homeschooling, private school and vouchers are seen as evil to Progressives. These educational experiences are under intense scrutiny because the government does not have control over these aspects; therefore, Progressives seek to destroy these avenues. Progressives will keep on pushing on until their full agenda and domination is met. It is important to note that while what school your child attends is currently a choice, Progressives seek to make it involuntary, so that every child must attend public school. We are already seeing this happen in various states as the Progressive agenda is taking shape. I'm sorry, but enough is enough when a child in the public school system, according to Beck:
"...doesn't have to tell you when they are using school-distributed contraceptives, seeing a school nurse, or even scheduling an abortion. The parents are effectively left out of these life-changing and emotionally demanding decisions as the State happily steps in as their surrogate." (93-94)
This is exactly why Progressives do not like parents. The parents stand in between them and their indoctrination of students. They want to "parent" our kids. They feel as if they know our kids best and should shape and rear them.
I'm telling you, with friends like Progressives, who needs enemies? Frankly I am very bothered by Progressivism especially because we have such a radical running the White House. President Obama has illustrated that he wants to change America as we see it; heck, he's repeatedly said he's seeking to do this, which illustrates his Progressive state of mind. While we know this country is heading toward socialism, even fascism, we also need to be aware of the Progressive cancer that is seeping through the heart and soul of the America we know. We have already seen the America we know and love begin to change, and if Progressives have their way, we are not even going to recognize the America our founding father's worked so hard to form, shape and construct.
Progressivism, bigger government, socialism, fascism, as well as other extreme agendas are not the answer to a safe and strong America. As I have repeatedly stated time and time again: We need to wake up and stand up! We need to realize that the government is not the solution; it is the problem, as the great Ronald Reagan so correctly stayed. Keep speaking up, keep on attending tea parties and make sure you get involved politically. It is important you educate yourself and your children. Get Glenn Beck's books and make sure to also read Thomas Sowell and Mark Levin's great works. Do what I did, and read all about my favorite President Ronald Wilson Reagan. I was a Reagan baby, so I hold the great Ronald Reagan in high regard. This man gave so much to America, and he gave us the real meaning of "hope."
Beck is such a great American, and I am so indebted for all he is doing in educating people like me about the harsh realities we face as Americans. While you may feel as if you want to give up and back down, don't! It is more important- now than ever that we fight the good fight, and fight on in the name of freedom and liberty. I want to close this long entry (I thank you for bearing with me on this very important issue) with a story from Beck's book, which I feel classifies the America I still know can exist, and the America I KNOW we CAN return to:
"After signing the Constitution in 1787, Benjamin Franklin spoke about a chair belonging to General Washington. At the top of the chair were the golden rays of the sun. He told Washington that throughout all of the proceedings he had wondered if it was the rising or setting sun.
When Washington asked him, 'What have you decided, Mr. Franklin?' He did not hesitate with his response.
'It is a rising sun.'" (106)
Fellow readers, America can be that great rising sun once again. We have been through tough, tough times before, so I am confident that we can get through this difficult spell as well. We need to stick together united, not divided. Leave it to Glenn Beck to electrify America:
"Great and powerful miracles are about to unfold before us- but only if we decide right here right here and now that our sun is still rising. Once we do that, once we dedicate ourselves to that new dawn and experience a restoration of our founding principles, we can secure in the knowledge that future generations will enjoy the same liberties and freedoms that were reserved for us. But until then, the sense that something just doesn't feel right will linger." (106-107)
Thank you, Glenn, for writing so clearly what we all feel. God bless you for having the true common sense to speak out and to speak up- for us!
