Let me get this straight. If you are against animal cruelty, want to protect our environment, believe that a strong middle class is necessary for a strong economy, or believe that we should not be engaged in unprovoked wars for corporate profit, then you are a progressive?

If that is what a progressive is then shouldn’t we all be progressives? How did “progressive” become a bad word? I’ll tell you how.

Whenever change or any idea threatens the established powers that be (profits), they immediately set their minions of spin masters into attack mode. You’re against the war? You are not patriotic and you are a progressive. You’re against the pipeline that does nothing for Americans but supports a Canadian oil company that spent millions lobbying the politicians who support it? You are an anti-capitalist and a progressive. You don’t like genetically modified organisms and the poisoning of our food and environment? You are a left-wing environmentalist wacko and a progressive. You think Citizens United should be overturned because it allows billionaires to buy too much influence in Washington? Damn progressives.

Whenever somebody speaks up for against anything, follow the money. If it leads to what is in the best interest for the whole, support it. If it leads to corporate profits, question it.

I think there were a few “progressives” who wrote our Constitution that might agree with me.

— Joe Shaw, Chico

http://www.orovillemr.com/opinion/20150117/letter-thank-progressives-for-standing-up-to-profiteers