Tough one, Hoard!

While I think the current Progressive movement would find it odd, I believe there is still something in today's progressivism from when the Progressive/Bull Moose Party was founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Back then, it was a split from the Republican party. Its platform included the intent "to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics", and I continue to hear this intent reflected in radio programs that are Progressive. Opponents to this Progressive stance then, current day, would be Republicans identified with the K Street Project (3), such as Grover Norquist and Tom Delay.

The Bull Moose Progressives believed in a "strong government to regulate industry and protect the middle and working classes." I think most current Republicans holding office oppose regulation of industry, believing in completely unfettered capitalism.

The Bull Moose Progressives supported Suffrage (2). Current Progressive views - also as exemplified by Progressive Radio (see sources) - continue to support gender equality, but have also expanded the scope to race, class and sexual orientation equality.

Another Bull Moose platform "plank" was for increased transparency in government, including the registration of lobbyists. This continues to be an agenda forwarded today, as Progressives are probably the most critical of the Obama administration for not completely abandoning the government secrecy established during Bush II.

The Bull Moose Progressives also stood for "social and industrial justice" (3) - in essence labor rights. No child labor, establishment of minimum safety and health standards, a minimum wage sufficient to provide a living, 8-hour day and one day off in 7, and the abolition of convict labor are included in this plank. Also included was the loose definition of Social Security, which was not instituted until another Roosevelt held office. Literacy and vocational education were mentioned in this section, also. These beliefs are also reflected in current Progressive radio.

Bull Moose Progressive also advocated for conservation of resources and agriculture "for the public good". This probably can be translated as the modern-day ecology movement.

There are additional Bull Moose tenants, such as protection of waterways, the Panama Canal and its uses, role of the Courts, protection of Country life, etc. Some are less relevant today.

It looks like the roots of the Progressive movement are with Theodore Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson in the Bull Moose Party, as these are the views I hear today on Progressive radio and see at the Independent Progressive Politics Network, Huffington Post, etc. Like any political stance, it's hard to clearly define because there are people who strongly identify with the political stance but who may not be as strong an advocate of one or more of the views advocated.

I would add a final Progressive viewpoint that military action should only be used in actual self-defense, not as expansionism or in preservation of business. This is a unifying theme in current Progressive media. Identified viewpoints of current Progressive belief are, then:

1. Opposition to corrupt business and corrupt politics and alliances between them. (1) This includes anti-trust and an opposition to corporations as people.
2. Regulation of industry to protect middle and working classes.
3. Equality for all, regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or class.
4. Transparency in government.
5. Labor Rights.
6. Minimum/Living Wage
7. Social Security
8. Literacy
9. Protection of Ecology
10. Military action only to be used in defense of the country, not for expansion or protection of business interests.

Progressives in politics today: Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Maxine Waters (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Al Franken (D-MN), Barney Frank (D-MA) come to mind. All have backed many of the Progressive viewpoints listed above.

Opponents to progressive politics today: John Boehner (R-OH), Rick Santorum (R-PA), Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). All have opposed most or all of the viewpoints. They are pro-business and unfettered capitalism, anti-regulation, and tend to be against full equal rights.
Source(s):
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Party_(United_States,_1912)
2. Progressive Party Platform of 1912 at: http://people.clarityconnect.com/webpages3/davek/platideas/progressiv.html
3. K Street Project: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K_Street_Project

Radio shows/blogs that identify themselves as Progressive: Democracy Now, Pacifica Radio network, Randi Rhodes, Ed Shulz, Daily Kos, Huffington Post.

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