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what would you think a progressive Republican movement look like?

If you’re anything like me—a progressive Republican—you already know that, while we’re not alone, we’re definitely a minority in today’s political landscape.

There are groups like the Lincoln Project, and I respect a lot of what they stand for. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything they do, and that’s okay. No movement is going to line up perfectly with your beliefs. My biggest issue is that a lot of them—not all, but many—lean heavily toward Bush-style conservatism, and that’s not where I stand. I believe Bush helped pave the way for Trump, and I don’t see that as a good thing.

That said, I do appreciate their respect for Lincoln. I think Abraham Lincoln is one of the best role models a Republican can follow.

But that’s not really what I wanted to talk about.

I know some of you are probably tired of hearing me talk about progressive Republicanism, but it matters to me because it’s who I am. And honestly, I think we need to build something of our own—not a new party, but a stronger identity within the GOP.

We should stay part of the Republican Party so we can still have a voice and win elections, but we also need to create something different from the modern GOP, because I think the party has left people like us behind.

So I want to ask you all something:

What do you think a more progressive GOP would look like? What policies would it support?

You already know some of the things I believe in: expanding healthcare, using healthcare programs to help fight human trafficking, and working toward a more stable and healthy society overall.

So tell me in the comments—what would your version of a progressive Republican movement look like?
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BohoBabe · M
I guess it would be based on maximizing freedom. Maybe play into the "small government" thing. They could say that freedom is often gatekept behind wealth, so we should have social programs. Abortion should be legal, so women can have more freedom. When it comes to queer rights, the government shouldn't be involved. Basically, make "small government" be about keeping government out of our private lives, but also giving us the means to live freely.

It seems like a lifetime ago, but Mitt Romney expanded healthcare in Massachusetts by creating the government option, which later became the blueprint for the ACA. That's how similar the Republicans and Democrats used to be. But the Republicans have moved so far Right, that now they call the government option a form of "Socialism." It's possible they go back to the public option, saying it's actually capitalistic because it encourages the free market to be better. But if that happens, it's going to be at least another twenty years.
Gibbon · 70-79, M
If you are a progressive Republican then you are essentially another liberal
Gibbon · 70-79, M
@1930sfan the term is effectively contradictory given modern party ideologies.
Gibbon · 70-79, M
@1930sfan progressives advocate for aggressive government action to address social and economic inequality, systemic reform, and expanded social programs—positions typically associated with the left.
Gibbon · 70-79, M
@1930sfan self-identified progressives are almost exclusively found within or aligned with the Democratic Party.
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walabby · M
Why is it necessary to be tribal, to label yourself as anything. Why not just support or start a party that has the attributes that you like?
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wildbill83 · 41-45, M
"progressive" in the context of politics is a catch-22; every policy pushed forth by so called progressives is nothing but regressive to society...

expanding healthcare/pumping more money into a broken system only intensifies the corruption (as if it isn't bad enough already).

And Lincoln isn't a role model (unless you aspire to pass a bunch of unpopular policies like income taxes, creating widespread unrest and getting shot in the back of the head in a theatre...)

Teddy Roosevelt was the mold for Conservatism
Honestly, I don’t see it existing, not as long as the majority of Republicans identify as hard right. They stopped being the party of Lincoln when they allowed their supporters to fly the flag of the people who assassinated him.
trollslayer · 51-55, M
@bijouxbroussard this. No chance I would ever vote GOP with this much hate.
calicuz · 56-60, M
Unless a political ideology includes governing AI, It will be useless, and unfortunately I think it's too late for that.
TexChik · F
Rinos have a political party now? Who knew? Progressive Republicanism is an Oxymoron at best. Why libs are so ashamed to admit who they are but not ashamed of what they support is a mystery.
MasterLee · 56-60, M
[media=https://youtu.be/qKYQNtF11eg]

 
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