Scorecards and What They “Score” for Progressives

I love sports and competition and in most cases, like in golf or football, scores are used to measure your achievement.  So it was interesting to see the recent ‘Progressive Honor Roll for 2011’ that was published by a Progressive magazine called The Nation.[1]   YES, a scorecard for Progressives on how politicians rate.  But against what criteria are they rated?

I looked further into the ‘Honor Roll’ to see what Progressives find important in selecting their winners.  Here are some of the critical Progressive criteria that winners have been scored against:

* Social justice

* Collective bargaining rights for public employees

* Immigration

* Economic justice

* Voter identification legislation

* Abortion rights

* Increased taxes on the rich

* Increased corporate taxation

* Civil disobedience

* Entitlements to be saved

* Save the Post Office

* Occupy movement

This was interesting, confusing, and consistent with how Progressives look at problems they see in America.  Progressives believe that politicians and government should address all of these social issues, and that’s why there is a rating system for what Progressives value.

If you don’t believe that this scoring defines what makes America and our economy great again, then you are the “opposition.”  As the opposition you might then be categorized in familiar Progressive terms such as “greedy” or “heartless;” people who think government shouldn’t right the wrongs of “inequality.”

When in history has any government ever successfully righted all the wrongs and equalized everyone without disastrous or oppressive consequences?  It certainly has not happened in socialist governments in Europe, religious governments in the Middle East, or communist governments anywhere in the world.  Just look at North Korea.

The greatest advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science and literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government. Milton Friedman[2]

If we look at a one of these ‘Honor Role’ measures, perhaps we can see a theme that ties to a phrase which might be used by Progressives; if some government is good, more is better.  Perhaps what Progressives really mean is that without the objectivity and fairness of government, the world would run amok.  Do you think that is true from what you see everyday?

There was a recent case brought against South Carolina by the U.S. Justice Department regarding a new law that would require voters to present a valid picture ID, such as a driver’s license, a U.S. military ID or a passport, when voting.  First, this is a States’ rights issue granted by the Constitution.  Second, the Federal Government has stepped in to stop the will of South Carolina’s people.

Governor Nikki Haley said she is trying to improve things in South Carolina, but, “The president and his bullying administration are fighting us every step of the way.” [3]

The Justice Department in its ruling said the law makes it harder for minorities to cast ballots. Without the right ID, tens of thousands of minorities in the state might not be able to vote, the Justice Department said.[4]

Haley said it’s another example, along with the recent decision by a U.S. district judge which blocks part of the state’s new immigration law, of President Barack Obama violating states’ rights.[5]

“It is outrageous, and we plan to look at every possible option to get this terrible, clearly political decision overturned so we can protect the integrity of our electoral process and our 10th amendment rights,” Haley said.[6]

Who would support something as criminal as voter fraud?  Could it be those who stand to benefit politically from this Federal Government intervention?  The benefactors of lax voter identification laws are not only those who would commit voter fraud, but the biggest winners are Progressive politicians who support this corrupt system to win the votes of those who benefit directly from Progressive entitlements.

What is the solution to voter fraud?  The United States should require all citizens to present a valid picture ID card for voting, in the same way we have to have an ID to open a bank account or fly with an airline.  Letting voter fraud continue only allows Progressive politicians to keep their power by illegal means.  This is not a civil rights issue; every eligible voter can vote.  This is an issue of voter fraud being allowed by politicians in the name of civil rights.

The only scorecard that really matters is the scorecard that measures our freedom, independence and economic growth.  All of these are measured against a smaller, less intrusive government, free from the self-interest of politicians and bureaucrats.  Never has there been an election where so much hangs in the balance as in November 2012.

Don’t settle for politicians who benefit from policies that promote fraud.  You can restore integrity to our American system of government by voting for candidates who won’t compromise their values for votes.