What is the difference between the terms "liberal" and "progressive" in American politics?

[H2O Man]

36. One of the most

interesting examples is found in Dr. King. His work in the Civil Rights movement was enough, on its own, to rank him high among great Americans. He harnessed the Power of Truth. And, of course, he made himself the target of the hate-filled extremists, particularly in the south, who would purposely try to distort the meaning of the Civil Rights movement.

But the "powers that be" were not threatened by integration, which was merely the idea that black citizens deserved full access to full participation in American society. Integration merely meant more workers, more consumers, and more soldiers for foreign wars. These people did not worry about seating on buses, or at lunch counters, or in public restrooms, etc. For they were not "public" people. The idea of everyone having access to "Fun Town," public parks, and public pools didn't concern them -- for they owned huge estates, with private pools, and enjoyed an exclusive life-style.

In 1966, King had connected racism with militarism. Then, on April 4, 1967, he delivered what I believe is the greatest American speech -- "Beyond Vietnam (A Time to Break Silence." It pin-pointed those connections between racism, militarism, and industrial-consumerisim. This scared the powers that be. Then, King proposed the "Poor People's Campaign," and that was so revolutionary a concept, that it threatened to knock the fuzz clear off the peach of the elite. It connected American society with the global community. Hence, others besides Hoover and red-necked sheriffs began an intense attempt to disrupt and destroy King and his plan.

We cannot return to 1968, of course, but all of us -- liberal and progressive -- should consider King's final year as "required reading & study" for 2013.