What Is A Progressive?

"What Is A Progressive?" Contest Rules & Details

• In 30 seconds (roughly 100 words) or less, please answer the question "What is a progressive?"
• You can submit as many answers as you like before 11:59pm EDT, on Wednesday, May 24th.
• 10+ finalists will be selected by CAF judges, based on the responses they find to be the most clear, concise, comprehensive and inspiring.
• Finalists will be announced the last week of May, at which point everyone interested will be invited to vote online to select a winner.
• VOTING CRITERIA: Voters will be asked to select which finalist they feel is the most clear, concise, comprehensive and inspiring. The question we pose is, "If you met someone who didn't know what a progressive was, which answer do you feel would best help that person to 'get it'?"
• The finalist who receives the most votes wins. One vote per valid email address. Deadline for voting is 11:59 EDT, on Friday, June 2nd.
• The winner will be announced the first week of June, and will receive the following:
• $500 toward travel between home and Washington, DC
• 3 nights free accommodations, for two people, at the Washington Hilton Hotel (June 11-13th)
• Tickets for two people to Take Back America 2006 (June 12-14th)—all three days of the conference and all conference meals included
• Tickets for two people to the Take Back America 2006 Gala Awards Dinner (June 13th)
• If the winner has already registered and paid for Take Back America 2006, the costs above will be refunded to them.

Carol S., Amherst, MA - (Our Winner):

A progressive is someone who understands that it is the people of our country who make it great, and unless we take care of the people first, we'll never be successful in maintaining our greatness. Taking care of the people means providing healthcare for everyone. It means keeping the environment clean, safe and preserved. It means great schools and great jobs. It means improving the lives of families, rather than lining the pockets of big business, or big politicians. It means taking care of each other here, and around the world. We're all in this together.

Louis L., Sunnyvale, CA - (Runner Up):

A Progressive believes that a better life is possible for everyone. They know that when we make room at the table for everyone, we are all enriched. Progressives actively pursue new, more effective solutions to the problems we face as a people. Status quo is not a given; it is a challenge to do better.

Julie P., Hastings, NY - (Runner Up):

A progressive is someone who believes in the common good—in a fair shake for every person—and is willing to fight for it.

Cassandra B., Garden City, MI:

A progressive is someone who, instead of reaching backward for a nonexistent, idyllic past, works tirelessly toward bettering the future. A progressive recognizes that we are a product of our historical moment and that in order to escape the fate of repeating the same mistakes of the past we must continually reach forward, expand our ideas and break down the barriers that keep us apart.

Lawrence F., San Francisco, CA:

A progressive is someone who cares about the other guy. It's as simple as that!!

Robert G., Philadelphia, PA:

A progressive identifies with the underdog, fights for the disadvataged, speaks for those without a voice and is on the side of working class and poor people in the struggle for equality and opportunity for everyone.

Jean M., Richmond, CA:

A progressive is someone who cares about others as much as themselves. They are interested in making all of society a better place. They are not afraid to do the right thing because it benefits society as a whole, rather than doing something for selfish reasons. They realize that we are indeed our brother's keeper.

Craig S., Fort Collins, CO:

A progressive is a person who thinks the best is yet to come. Rather than yearning for 'the good old days' a progressive realizes that the best days are still ahead if we are willing to give up old ways that lead to failure and to take up new ways that lead to mutual success.

William W., Canada, MI:

A progressive is someone who understands that personal wellbeing cannot be separated from the wellbeing of society, and that we are all better and stronger when we work together for the common good. From the air and water that we all depend on, to the education of our neighbors' children, a progressive understands that none is immune from the effects of community underachievement. Today's progressive understands that the individual is most effective when all in society function highly.

Virginia W., Sausalito, CA:

When the water rises, the storm is raging and the winds are howling, the conservatives say "Quick, throw some people out of the boat or we will sink." A progressive says, "Hold on... let's build a bigger boat!"