Lewis O. - Ann Arbor, MI

A progressive is someone who believes that fundamental human rights and human interests must prevail over the interests of money and property. A progressive knows that in free enterprise the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and that therefore there need to be social measures to counterbalance these ruthless economic forces. A progressive believes that society is a community and must take care of all its members; further, a progressive believes that this care should come primarily through the communal organs of government, not primarily through private charity. Progressives want a bigger, richer social safety net with excellent public education and excellent universally subsidized health care. Progressives actively acknowledge and promote the fact that all human beings are created equal, and that the diversity of humanity enriches us. Progressives care for our terrestrial environment and think in terms of environmental preservation instead of environmental exploitation. Progressives know that, whatever the Supreme Court may have said about this, corporations are not human individuals and should not have equal rights as human individuals. Progressives believe deeply in peace, respect for others, religious freedom, and lifestyle diversity.