Socialism isn't progress; neither is disarming the law abiding, nor unrestrained growth of government. Making people dependent on government is not progress. And preferential treatment of any race or religion, regardless of past history, is not progress. Degrading religion and morality does nothing to benefit society, either.
Progress will occur when we systematically start addressing these chronic problems, in a meaningful way. So maybe conservatives are the real progressives.
(If that doesn't sound too Gus-like)
