One of the characteristics of “progressivism” is the spinning of what one says – to say whatever one wants it to say. It is backed by a philosophy that says the end justifies the means to an extreme. In other words, one says what he has to say in order to get to where he intends to go. This was seen in the healthcare debate when the liberal left continually heaped the entire blame for escalating health care costs on the insurance industry. No mention was made of wasteful uses of insurance benefits, underpaid Medicare/Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals, treatment of self-imposed addictions and obesities, overcharges by hospitals, etc.

Another characteristic of “progressivism” is the smoke screening of reality by the careful fabrication of words and phrases such as “dozens” instead of “thousands”. If there really are thousands, but the word “dozens” is used to describe the number – it is not really a lie because enough dozens do multiply and/or add up into the thousands. The most important issue for the progressives is not the facts, but the perception they create of the facts in order to accomplish their agenda.

Harry Reid is a master of progressive rhetoric. He once said, “It’s time that America’s government lived by the same values as America’s families. It’s time we invested in America’s future and made sure our people have the skills to compete and thrive in a 21st century economy. That’s what Democrats believe.” What exactly are “the same values as American families” to Harry Reid who has promoted and propagated every possible piece of legislation he can that is diametrically opposed to American family values? Consider this Harry Reid quote from the Democratic minority days when Bush was in office, “The American people do not like privatization. They are afraid of the debt the president’s willing to do. And they don’t like benefit cuts. And everyone here should understand all 45 Senate Democrats are united. We are not going to let this happen.” Hmmmmm….the American people do not like privatization? Reid concerned the people fear Bush’s debt yet he has supported Obama’s increasing mountain of debt every step of the way? Reid concerned about benefit cuts, something the health care bill will cut?

In more recent memory, Reid said of the Republican opposition to health care reform, “Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all Republicans have come up with is this slow down, stop everything, let’s start over. You think you’ve heard these same excuses before, you’re right. When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said, slow down, it’s too early.” The reality is that the slaves were freed under Republican leadership with the Democrats in opposition. Little did the facts matter to Reid who was painting a picture of a “regressive” Republican Party. He did not say the say Republicans held up slavery, but anyone who does not know their American history would come to that conclusion which was what Reid intended through the fabrication of his words.

It is time to take action against the progressive rhetoric of Harry Reid and others like him. As Americans, we have the privilege of hiring and firing our elected officials through the ballot box. It is our right to put a stop to those who are violating our rights by voting them out, but it is up to us to exercise that right. Be a responsible voter in 2010 – America is depending upon it!

Help us defeat Harry Reid at DumpReid.com!