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December 20, 2008 at 22:12:29

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Promoted to Headline (H2) on 12/20/08:

Which of These Progressive Positions Are Extreme Left?

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By Rob Kall (about the author)     Page 1 of 3 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

For OpEdNews: Rob Kall - Writer

The word is that Obama is a pragmatist, that he won't pander to the far, extreme left of his party. Instead, he will hew to the center.

The word is that the progressives on the left are expecting too much, that their positions, issues and stands are too extreme.

Are they?


Is it extreme left to see as immoral the USA's health care system-- the only one among developed world countries to not provide health care to every citizen, so people die for failure to seek diagnosis, treatment or medication, or they go bankrupt and lose their homes?

Is it extreme left to want to protect the environment for future generations, and to prefer a cleaner environment to favoring corporations?

Is it extreme to want to make sure that workers here in the USA are treated fairly and given living wages, even if it means a few dozen transnational corporations wouldn't make as much money as they would if cancelled our participation in global trade agreements like the WTO, NAFTA and CAFTA?

Is it extreme to expect equal justice for all colors and creeds, genders and kinds of people?

Is it extreme to expect elections to be completely honest and transparent, verifiable and recountable, instead of electronic experiments that mock true democracy?

Is it extreme to expect reasonable regulations that prevent the kinds of unbridled greed and irresponsible experimentation with the economy we have seen recently?

Is it extreme to want to trust the Judiciary system and all the other government departments to be free from partisan corruption?

Is it extreme to want our legislators to lead and guide the nation's industries to develop technologies that reduce our dependence upon foreign oil-- a dependence that hurts our economy and drastically makes us a less secure nation.

Is it extreme to see our military industrial complex-- the one Republican president Dwight Eisenhower warned us about-- as an out of control cancer on our economy that has grown so big, so unresponsive to oversight and regulation that TRILLIONS of dollars have disappeared without being accounted for? Is it extreme to want to rein it in and make if fully accountable?

Is it extreme to want to see our democracy represent all the people and not just the wealthy lobbyists who can give huge amounts of money to help doddering incumbent legislators stay in office? Is it extreme to want to see a change in congress so that the odds of someone defeating an incumbent are not twenty to one?

Is it extreme to want to have laws and regulations that protect workers so they can work in safe environments and are treated fairly?

Is it extreme to want the media to give voice to the full range of the political spectrum, not just the range from extremist right wingers to centrist and moderate democrats? There are greens and others further left, even socialists (like Senator Bernie Sanders) and communists who deserve at least an occasional voice on mainstream media.

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Rob Kall is executive editor, publisher and site architect of OpEdNews.com, Host of the Rob Kall Bottom Up Radio Show (WNJC 1360 AM), President of Futurehealth, Inc, (more...)
 

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Great Piece Rob by Anthony Wade on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008 at 10:56:08 PM
Sorry too left by robert braunstein on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:58:21 PM
far left by TRADESMAN on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:28:23 AM
no taxes? by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:46:16 AM
taxes and not progressive by Steve Consilvio on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:02:01 AM
Libertarian and Communist? Sorry.. by Starbuck on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 12:01:01 PM
Libertarian and communist? YES! by Steve Consilvio on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 9:32:44 PM
LIBERTARIAN AND COMMUNIST by WML on Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:28:05 AM
The irony of your argument by Starbuck on Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 3:21:06 PM
Liberal Christian? by Ed Buffey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:02:56 PM
MR,BUFFEY by WML on Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:50:40 AM
taxes by TRADESMAN on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:46:35 PM
it's not just "ignorant" by David Hastings on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 11:45:19 AM
"Great Piece Rob" --even though " Anthony" eviscerated it! by W. Christopher Epler (Bill) on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:01:18 PM
Define "far left", Skippy by David Hastings on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 11:10:45 AM
Great Piece by August Adams on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:31:20 PM
August by Anthony Wade on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:34:47 PM
Grunt Piece, Rob. by GLloyd Rowsey on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:40:56 PM
That's Right by Mark Whittington on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:24:40 AM
Free-Market Globalist by UncleSim on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:40:34 AM
On equal grounds only by Mark Sashine on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:01:01 AM
Shame by Anthony Wade on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:20:16 AM
Anthony by Mark Sashine on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:06:28 AM
...we brought to power as voters by UncleSim on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:47:57 AM
Tales From a Real Leftist by Jason Paz on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:43:23 AM
Executions? by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:51:32 AM
Execute? by tjb on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:52:56 AM
Good on you, Rob, for deleting Achin. by GLloyd Rowsey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:58:43 PM
Punishing War Criminals by Jason Paz on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 3:09:41 PM
I agree with Robert B by jersey girl on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:45:13 AM
what would it look like? by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:40:22 AM
How about by GLloyd Rowsey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:12:42 AM
How About... by UncleSim on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:56:36 AM
What would it look like by MARGARET BASET on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:16:49 AM
To RK and all those that are so deep into the forest ... by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:15:50 AM
Excellent Comment by UncleSim on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 12:05:07 PM
Reason v Force= Victory of Force by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 12:39:32 PM
It's a cowards way of doing things by kato krause on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:28:33 PM
with no vision there is no direction by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:19:05 PM
what it would look like by kato krause on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:01:43 PM
Rob, the things you ask are right in front of us ... by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:58:26 PM
ya by TRADESMAN on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 7:13:21 PM
Meanwhile back in the real world... by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:21:29 PM
Yeah, we all can find comfort in anything Kissinger says .. by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:09:20 PM
Which? by sommers on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 7:06:23 AM
put in a decent bio. by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:21:00 PM
Right on. by GLloyd Rowsey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:16:14 AM
Jersey Girl? She's ALL women ... and more than most by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:15:38 PM
Thank you Mr M by jersey girl on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:43:08 PM
Sucks .;. by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 7:10:34 PM
Very few on OEN are other than what we appear to be... by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 10:47:15 AM
Rob, by John Sanchez Jr. on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:27:19 AM
Good points John by Jack Harrington on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:56:01 AM
Quite a collection by kato krause on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:38:18 AM
Reasonable by Simple Truth on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:41:00 AM
Right on point by Spartacus Jones on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:51:14 AM
Obama seems to be showing labor, but ... by John Bessa on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:55:30 AM
This article is one reason I no not like ALL labels by virginius "gin" arnold on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:12:33 AM
I am not mad by Mark Sashine on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:27:24 AM
Gin, you're getting there ... by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:05:25 PM
Hey M. by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:59:30 PM
are you a cartoon? by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:33:28 PM
Cartoon: by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:43:19 PM
What the hell kind of response it that? by Mr M on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:38:30 PM
Rob by jersey girl on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:40:48 PM
Not an original word or idea by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:58:03 PM
well I guess by jersey girl on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 5:49:43 AM
reality as caricature of itself due to propaganda; by William Whitten on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 3:12:46 PM
stop throwing around vague generalities that are far left... by Rob Kall on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:03:44 PM
Trite labels and phrases are the worst, particularly in... by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:29:13 AM
I Can't Stand Labels by Sharon Roach on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:00:23 PM
Absotively posalutely! by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:30:13 AM
So many "is it extreme[s]" One is universal healthcare by Margaret Bassett on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:34:53 AM
NONE of these are by lindasutton on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:35:41 AM
This isn't even close to far left by Ben Gardner on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:48:05 AM
beyond left and right by Jim Eldon on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:49:30 AM
Brilliant by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:52:51 AM
TO ANYONE WHO USES THAT PHRASE ... by lenngray on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:52:43 AM
a proud liberal I am by shirley reese on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:02:02 AM
Good for you..but... by Starbuck on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 12:49:44 PM
If you take it that far, you realize that by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:03:19 AM
Oh Please.... by Starbuck on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 8:24:12 PM
It is exactly the same and that is what you Libertarians do by Steven Leser on Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 at 12:31:59 PM
And when they aren't anybody's business... by Starbuck on Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 at 5:54:53 PM
Wouldn't it be wonderful.. by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:04:19 AM
Crook media uses exaggeration to lie. by John Hanks on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:16:16 AM
Right On, Rob! by David Gruder on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:26:42 AM
Too Left? by UncleSim on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:32:31 AM
Does anyone still believe in Liberty? by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:41:22 PM
gov't bungling of universal healthcare... by Jill Herendeen on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:30:09 PM
So... by UncleSim on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:54:31 PM
Many Americans also go overseas for healthcare... by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 3:31:03 PM
Rob and all those who commented on his article by Jay Farrington on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:43:21 AM
Okay, Jay. by GLloyd Rowsey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:54:19 PM
Extreme left? by Kimberly C. Townsend on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 12:54:41 PM
Re: "Which of These Progressive Positions Are Extreme Left?" by Munich on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:26:52 PM
Extreme left by Chester Marzolf on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 1:48:55 PM
Yes, some do want dirtier air by lenngray on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:07:56 PM
I've heard this a lot and am not sure about it... by Steven Leser on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:13:01 AM
Be carefull... by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:01:46 PM
progressives aren't puppts of the elites by W. Christopher Epler (Bill) on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:14:15 PM
Whoah! You're way off base on Anthony by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:52:49 PM
Thanks Rob by Anthony Wade on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:59:27 PM
anti- power by robert braunstein on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:15:39 PM
Justice & Liberty by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:28:31 PM
Justice LIberty and Responsibility by Rob Kall on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:56:22 PM
Responsiblity by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:29:24 PM
When Center Right is the Left, True Center is Far Left by Joel Myron on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:21:11 PM
Exactly! by Jill Herendeen on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 7:49:13 AM
What makes Hilary "Center-Right"? by Starbuck on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:55:17 PM
Economic Democracy is neither left nor right...Simply democr by Wally on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:22:46 PM
PROGRESS by STEVE RISK on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:52:02 PM
A beaitiful summary of progressive movement by Edip Yuksel on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:36:18 PM
The Myth of the Extreme Left by Ed Buffey on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 3:37:23 PM
Or perhaps... by Starbuck on Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 at 9:41:14 PM
LEFT BEHIND IS NOW FRONT AND CENTER by joseph a. mungai, RN on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:05:41 PM
We all care by Mark Sashine on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 4:22:52 PM
Mark by Anthony Wade on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:04:58 PM
Minority Report by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 5:50:33 PM
what to do by jersey girl on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:10:25 PM
Jump Starting the Economy by UncleSim on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 7:42:33 PM
Mad as hell? by Tom Ellis on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:41:49 PM
tom by jersey girl on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 7:02:07 PM
A Ticking Time Bomb by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:30:17 PM
Abandon these one-dimensional terms! by Maxwell on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:53:18 PM
Extreme left?? by John Little on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 6:59:18 PM
Too Left for Who? by Michael Bonanno on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:31:44 PM
XPECT CHANGE WHEN WE MAKE IT by boomerang on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 8:52:07 PM
Bingo Boomerang by William Whitten on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:43:26 PM
Bravo Boomerang and William W by jersey girl on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:57:35 AM
Bravo Boomerang and William W by jersey girl on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 5:05:04 AM
we by TRADESMAN on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 9:39:49 PM
Ill just number my responses for each question: by Parke Nicholson on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:34:40 PM
Obama? Progressive? by Marnie Parker on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 1:20:05 AM
As I sit here freezing... by UncleSim on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:40:18 PM
Corruption & Lobbyist are the reason for USA to be failed by Jaff Sassani on Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 at 3:07:46 PM

 

 

 

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