I completely take issue with this self characterization.
When has it ever been "progressive" to?
1. Defend U.S. exceptionalism and the US invasion of Iraq.
2. Defend the use of coercive force and suspension of rights in a liberal democracy.
"To defeat evil, we may have to traffic in evils: indefinite detention of suspects, coercive interrogations, targeted assassinations, even pre-emptive war." (New York Times Magazine, May 2004)
3. Champion the Tar Sands (ethically or economically -the US is even reticent about procuring such dirty oil.
4. Uncritically support Israel's actions vis a vis the Palestinians, at one point (In August 2006) saying he was "not losing any sleep" over dozens of civilian deaths caused by Israel's attack on Qana during its military actions in Lebanon.
5. Fail to support any real electoral or democratic reform such as proportional representation.
6. Support tax breaks for the richest corporation in times of budgetary surplus.
And the list goes on and on. Ignatieff is much more credible as a neoconservative than as a progressive.
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Update: Rediscovered one of my favourite John Steinbeck quotes:
"Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat, but as temporality embarrassed millionaires."
— John Steinbeck
2 comments:
Right on. If Igatieff is progressive that makes Layton the Saint of the Left.
Iggy praised George W. Bush on his human rights record - cough - omg! Thought Bush was the most esteemed American president!
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