"Progressive" has been a popular buzzword this election. Clinton, Sanders, and the media have all used this word frequently, but its true meaning isn't always clear. Clinton has called herself a moderate and a progressive, but many are arguing that it's not possible to be both. "Progressivism" in American politics dates back to the Progressive Era and the campaign of Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt used the public's frustration over the huge gap in wealth and directed it to the biggest monopolies. Breaking them up earned him the title of "trust buster", but that doesn't seem like true progressivism to me. The word progressive is usually associated with reform, but Roosevelt didn't introduce any crazy new laws, he just put a stop to an "excess of capitalism." It's clear that a title with a ring to it and vague words with good connotations can win an election. It's important to look past the language used to describe presidential candidates and choose who to vote for based on their voting history and ideals.
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/05/465671983/democrats-debate-what-is-a-progressive-and-who-wants-to-be-one
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