

In the United States, American liberalism, also known as modern liberalism or social liberalism, is a political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, freedom, and equality, while also supporting a mixed economy and government intervention in the economy to address social and economic inequalities. It is one of the two major political ideologies in the US, the other being conservatism.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Core Beliefs:
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Individual Rights and Freedoms: American liberalism prioritizes individual liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
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Equality and Social Justice: It advocates for equal opportunity and seeks to address social and economic inequalities, often through government programs and policies.
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Mixed Economy: American liberalism supports a balance between free markets and government regulation, with the government playing a role in addressing market failures, regulating industry, and providing social safety nets.
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Social Issues:
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Social Liberalism: This aspect of liberalism focuses on social issues such as same-sex marriage, transgender rights, reproductive rights, and voting rights.
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Civil Rights: It strongly supports civil rights and equality for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
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Economic Policies:
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Government Regulation: Modern liberalism supports government intervention to regulate the economy, protect consumers, and prevent monopolies.
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Social Safety Net: It supports government-funded programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance to provide a safety net for those in need.
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Relationship to Conservatism:
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Contrasting Views: American liberalism is often contrasted with conservatism, which emphasizes individual responsibility, limited government, and traditional values.
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Two-Party System: The Democratic Party generally represents the liberal side of the American political spectrum, while the Republican Party generally represents the conservative side.
In the United States, American liberalism, also known as modern liberalism or social liberalism, is a political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, freedom, and equality, while also supporting a mixed economy and government intervention in the economy to address social and economic inequalities. It is one of the two major political ideologies in the US, the other being conservatism.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
-
Core Beliefs:
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Individual Rights and Freedoms: American liberalism prioritizes individual liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
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​
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Equality and Social Justice: It advocates for equal opportunity and seeks to address social and economic inequalities, often through government programs and policies.
​
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Mixed Economy: American liberalism supports a balance between free markets and government regulation, with the government playing a role in addressing market failures, regulating industry, and providing social safety nets.
​
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Social Issues:
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Social Liberalism: This aspect of liberalism focuses on social issues such as same-sex marriage, transgender rights, reproductive rights, and voting rights.
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Civil Rights: It strongly supports civil rights and equality for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
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Economic Policies:
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Government Regulation: Modern liberalism supports government intervention to regulate the economy, protect consumers, and prevent monopolies.
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Social Safety Net: It supports government-funded programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance to provide a safety net for those in need.
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Relationship to Conservatism:
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Contrasting Views: American liberalism is often contrasted with conservatism, which emphasizes individual responsibility, limited government, and traditional values.
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Two-Party System: The Democratic Party generally represents the liberal side of the American political spectrum, while the Republican Party generally represents the conservative side.
Types Of Liberalism?
Liberalism encompasses various forms, including classical liberalism, social liberalism, economic liberalism, political liberalism, and cultural liberalism. These different types represent varying interpretations and applications of liberal principles, focusing on individual liberty, limited government, and other core tenets.
Here's a more detailed look at some of the key types:
This branch emphasizes individual autonomy, limited government, and free market economics. It prioritizes civil liberties, economic freedom, and individual rights under the rule of law.
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This form advocates for social justice, social services, and the expansion of civil and political rights. It supports a mixed economy and a more active role for government in addressing social issues.
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This focuses on economic principles like free markets, private property, and limited government intervention in the economy. It often aligns with classical liberalism and neoliberalism.
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This focuses on the basic structure of society and emphasizes principles of free and equal citizenship, derived from the public political culture. It aims to resolve disagreements in a pluralistic society.
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This form emphasizes individual freedom to choose their cultural expression, including the freedom to deviate from established norms. It often connects with concepts like diversity and tolerance.
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This form prioritizes secular principles and values, often advocating for the separation of church and state.
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Modern American liberalism includes social liberalism and progressivism, developing during the Progressive Era and the Great Depression. It also includes a strong libertarian movement that is a revival of classical liberalism.
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BUT, can it be categorized further?
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Yes!
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Liberal centrism:
also known as moderate liberalism, represents a political stance that sits in the middle of the political spectrum, leaning towards the left but also incorporating elements of centrism. It's characterized by a commitment to core liberal values like individual rights, liberal democracy, and equal opportunity, while also advocating for pragmatic solutions and a balance between free markets and fair societies.
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Here's a more detailed look at liberal centrism:
Key Features:
Emphasis on core liberal values:
Liberal centrism emphasizes individual rights, liberal democracy, cultural pluralism, and equality of opportunity.
Moderate economic policies:
It generally supports a mixed economy with moderate government intervention, advocating for a balance between free markets and social safety nets.
Pragmatic approach:
Liberal centrists often prioritize practical solutions and a willingness to compromise on specific policies, while still upholding core principles.
Concern for social justice:
While not always advocating for radical social change, liberal centrists are typically concerned with issues of social justice and inequality.
Focus on long-term importance:
They may prioritize issues of long-term importance, such as climate change, while also considering the needs of the present
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Liberal Progressives
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Progressive liberals are a group within the liberal political spectrum who advocate for more progressive social and economic policies, often aligning with social democratic ideas. They tend to be more left-leaning than mainstream liberals, supporting government intervention and social welfare programs, while also emphasizing individual liberties.
Key Characteristics of Progressive Liberals:
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Social Justice:
Advocate for equality and fairness, addressing issues like poverty, income inequality, and discrimination.
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Economic Policies:
Support policies like universal healthcare, higher minimum wages, and investments in education and infrastructure.
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Environmentalism:
Prioritize climate change action and environmental protection.
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Social Reform:
Advocate for issues like women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration reform.
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Government Intervention:
Believe in a more active role for government in addressing social and economic problems.
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Progressive Liberals in the United States:
A group of Democratic members of Congress who advocate for progressive policies.
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A specific group identified by Pew Research Center as having a strong progressive outlook.
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Share similarities with progressive liberals, advocating for social and economic equality through democratic means.
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Relationship to Libertarianism:
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Progressive liberals are generally considered more left-leaning than libertarians, who emphasize individual freedom and limited government intervention in both economic and social life.
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In summary, progressive liberals are a diverse group within the liberal spectrum who advocate for progressive social and economic policies, often aligning with social democratic ideas and prioritizing social justice, environmentalism, and government intervention to address societal problems.
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What are the three classical liberalisms?
Classical liberals were committed to individualism, liberty, and equal rights, as well as some other important tenants of leftism, since classical liberalism was introduced in the late 18th century as a leftist movement. They believed these goals required a free economy with minimal government interference.
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While the list of political ideologies is extensive and can vary depending on the source, some of the most commonly cited and influential ones include: Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Anarchism, Fascism, and Populism.
Elaboration:
Generally emphasizes tradition, established institutions, and limited government intervention in the economy and society.
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Typically advocates for individual rights and freedoms, limited government, and social progress.
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Emphasizes social ownership and control of the means of production, with varying degrees of economic and social equality.
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A more radical form of socialism, advocating for a stateless, classless society with collective ownership of all property.
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Advocates for a society without government or any form of hierarchical authority.
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A highly authoritarian ideology emphasizing nationalism, militarism, and a strong centralized state.
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A political approach that emphasizes the "common person" and often pits them against an elite, often seen as a reaction against established political systems and ideologies.
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It's important to note that these ideologies are not always mutually exclusive, and individuals or groups may hold beliefs that blend elements of multiple ideologies
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Has The Democratic Party Gone Conservative?
Has It Maybe Always Been?
The Democratic Party is essentially conservative. You read that right. It wants to:
➢ Preserve democracy, as is.
➢ Preserve nonviolent solving of problems (instead of invasions of the Capitol and people’s homes; threats against the families of politicians, governors, and election officials doing their jobs; and one-sided rants by biased media),
➢ Preserve respect and compromise in government,
➢ Preserve the rule of law so that the law applies to all of us. This is how traditional American “law and order” and “personal responsibility for behavior” works. For example, Donald Trump was considered innocent until a jury of his peers decided otherwise. Justice is not achieved by representatives yelling at our President, by stalking a college kid who survived a school shooting (like Marjorie Taylor Green did), or by Rep. Josh Hawley making power salutes after fleeing the Capitol insurrection.
➢ Support responsible leadership internationally (such as supporting democratic Ukraine and reducing tariffs so farmers don’t lose market share as they did during Trump’spresidency),
➢ Support the growth of our capitalist economy and financial stability. (Clinton was the last president to balance the budget and reduce the national debt. Obama worked with business leaders and banks to save us from the Great Recession. Biden had overseen the creation of 12 million jobs, including almost a million manufacturing jobs, and reduced the unemployment rate and inflation.)
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There are things that the conservative democrats hate about the moderates in the Democratic Party and completely disagree with, like CRT in schools, who can use certain bathrooms, and worrying about politically correct words. This is what makes moderate to conservative democrats cringe and staunch Republicans angered.
The old guard has been in question at the DNC – mass resignations and careers ended in 2025.
Younger people brought in as of Feb. 1, 2025
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But the old guard is fighting back and putting up resistance to the progressive side of the party. Take into consideration them turning on the more progressively minded, young, and outspoken former DNC Vice Chair, David Hogg. Who when he spoke his mind over where the direction of the leadership of the Democratic Party should head. And was scolded by members of his own party and an election to decide whether or not to redo the DNC's previous election will be held from June 9th to June 11th, 2025, where he may be tossed out. Read more on Wikipedia Here.
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My own opinion on David Hogg is that he may have come out too strong out of the gate and the more conservative of the party were frightened by his bluntness. His method of approach can be questioned, but the content of his beliefs are spot on. We have TWO parties, yet the Democrats tend to lean more right of center as time goes on. Is that strategy or is it just fear?
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Up Against The Conservative Democratic Ways Of The Party
When it comes to voting, I believe in choosing a party that may not be Perfect, but is a Decent human being with a platform for real actual changes to the issues we face as a country. And someone who is willing to fight for the values that the Democratic party holds dear. But I am also a more progressive Democrat who sees where the conservative side of the party is holding the party back, so i also look to someone who can respect the tradition but who sees where tradition can be improved upon as time moves forward and issues change and evolve. The time we live in is not the same time as even 10 years ago, even if some of the problems are the same. The country is not the same.
As the saying goes, “The perfect is often the enemy of the good.” Let's not let the pursuit of perfection hinder us from making a good choice. yeah maybe some of what a politician's platform is, may falter, but in failure we can learn to do BETTTER.
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Enter the new younger and more deeply Democratic Progressives in the Party, who seem to be the members of the party willing to step up and speak out!.
People such as:
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Greg Casar
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Ilhan Omar
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Ro Khanna
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Maxwell Frost
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Pramila Jayapal
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Rashida Tlaib
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Mark Takano
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Summer Lee
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Becca Balint
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Joaquin Castro
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Judy Chu
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Robert Garcia
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Ted Lieu
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Sarah McBride
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Jennifer McClellan
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LaMonica McIver
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Ayanna Pressley
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Jamie Raskin
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Melanie Stansbury
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Maxine Waters
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and my TOP THREE:
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Bernie Sanders
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Alexandra Ocasio Perez
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Jasmine Crockett
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What Do They Stand For?
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Building Worker Power (Unions)
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The Progressive Promise
Advancing justice, dignity, and peace for all.
At the Progressive Caucus, we believe that government must be the great equalizer of opportunity for everyone. We are committed to passing legislation that advances justice, dignity, and peace for all people.
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Realizing the goal of a universal, high-quality, Medicare For All health care system for all.
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Advancing the right of every American to retire with security and dignity.
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Ending poverty and income inequality and securing a living wage for all people.
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Protecting the fundamental right to organize.
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Ending mass incarceration and advancing equal justice under the law.
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Taking urgent, inclusive, and transformative action on climate change.
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Upholding the fundamental reproductive rights of all people.
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Ending our forever wars, cutting the bloated Pentagon budget, and prioritizing diplomacy.
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Advancing humane, fair and just immigration laws.
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Advancing racial justice and equity.
Tackling systems of oppression and dismantling structural racism and discrimination.
Embedded in our nation’s history is a painful legacy of oppression, racism, and genocide. At the Progressive Caucus, we believe that elected leaders have an obligation to confront this legacy and dismantle the systems of oppression and discrimination that allow racism to persist in this nation. In order for any legislation to be truly inclusive and transformative, it must advance the goal of racial justice.
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Advancing racial justice and equity in every policy.
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Supporting a truth commission and reparations to address and repair the continued effects of slavery and discrimination.
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Transforming our budgets and priorities to reinvest in Black, Brown, and indigenous communities and reimagine the role of institutions that exacerbate injustice and inequality.
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Challenging harmful stereotypes and efforts that demonize immigrant, Black, Brown, indigenous, and LGBGTQ communities and actively opposing any legislation or policy that marginalizes those communities.
Taking on systems that privilege the wealthy and powerful to demand a government and economy that works for the people.
We believe elected officials should be beholden to the people, not to wealthy donors and powerful CEOs. At the Progressive Caucus, we reject pay-to-play and revolving door politics and fight for a democracy where the power is in the hands of the people, not concentrated among the rich and well-connected. We reject the failed politics of the past that prioritized the deregulation of financial industries and big polluters and tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations over the well-being of the public. And we support bold policies to close the gap between the rich and everyday Americans and ensure our government delivers essential services to every person in this country.
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Ensuring regulation of industry with strong consumer protections.
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Strengthening oversight of financial institutions.
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Democratizing our society by getting money out of politics, eliminating political corruption, and protecting and expanding access to the ballot box.
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Ensuring that all of our economic and tax policies address or decrease income inequality.
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Protecting the federal government’s role in delivering essential goods, taking on monopolies, and disciplining markets.
A commitment to sweeping, transformative change.
Recognizing that the problems facing this country are enormous, we are committed to delivering solutions that meet the scale of the crisis. Faced with decades of disinvestment in working class communities, unprecedented income inequality, and a federal budget that fails to meet the needs of millions, we believe that Congress must take sweeping action to deliver the bold policies that this moment demands. The challenges facing this nation are structural -- and Congress must be deliberate and explicit in dismantling these institutional barriers to prosperity, peace, and justice.
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Demanding bold and visionary legislation to address the needs in every community and rejecting incrementalist approaches that fail to deliver urgent transformative change.
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Opposing counterproductive and false narratives on government deficits that have led to decades-long disinvestment in low-income communities, communities of color, families, and working people.
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Reversing decades-long disinvestment in low-income communities, communities of color, families, and working people.
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Delivering structural change that unrigs the rules for working people and forces the wealthy to contribute to our shared prosperity.
Types Of Democrats?
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Where do you fit in the political typology?
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Are you a Faith and Flag Conservative? Progressive Left? Or somewhere in between?
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Progressive Democrats of America (as seen above)
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Green Party of the United States whose focus is on environmental issues.
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Democratic Socialists of America (as seen above in the form of Progressive Democratic system)
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Moderates/Blue Dog Coalition
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New Democrats (United States)/Centerists