What is a “Progressive” Democrat?
A question I am frequently asked is “Why do you call yourself a
Progressive Democrat?”
The Progressive movement has deep roots in American history. From the
late 1880s to the present day, working people, small businesses and
farmers have struggled to protect society from the excesses of corporate
big business. Leading Progressives came from both major parties, but in
the early 20th Century many of them were Republicans: President
Theodore Roosevelt, Wisconsin Senator Robert “Fighting Bob” LaFollette,
and New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia are among the most famous. They
led the way for honest government, consumer protection regulation and
labor union rights.
The New Deal administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted
into law many Progressive reforms, such as Social Security, utility
regulation, and the National Labor Relations Act. Sadly, the
Progressive wing of the Republican Party has died out, and today
Progressive officeholders are mostly Democrats and independents; in
fact, a third of the Democrats in Congress are members of the
Progressive Caucus.
The need to protect ordinary people from uncontrolled corporate greed is
just as important today as it was in the 1880s. We have only to remind
ourselves of the savings and loan scandal of the 1970s, Enron and the
California Energy Crisis of a few years ago, and the wave of predatory
home loans and foreclosures that are afflicting millions of American
families today.
When I served as California Public Utilities Commissioner from 1999 to
2004, I stood up to the energy giants and telephone monopolies to
protect our state’s consumers. I believe that effective regulation in
the public interest is a necessary role for state government. That is
why I am proud to be called a Progressive.
Carl Wood
Democratic Candidate for the 65th Assembly District