Understandably, as with most conservatives, Pestritto fails to understand that progressivism is fundamentally anti-dogmatic; that there is a static component of pragmatism which allows progressives the ability to adapt and change as society changes.
Progressives are opposed to reactionaryism and advocate embracing change rather than futilely resisting it, as is common with most conservatives.
This is the basic reason why conservatives hate progressives: it has nothing to do with the positions progressives take on the issues per se, but the fact that progressives, unlike conservatives, dont adhere blindly to sanctioned dogma.
The intrinsic pragmatic nature of progressivism, therefore, renders false the accusation that progressives advocate a one size fits all government approach to addressing national issues. In fact, this hasnt been a staple of progressive thought for over 50 years.
By the end of the 20th Century, progressivism had evolved into a synthesis of pragmatic doctrine representing beliefs from across the political spectrum. Progressives are advocates of free markets, for example, but also realize that some government regulation is necessary.
In essence, progressives believe that no idea or solution should be rejected out of hand simply because that idea or solution comes from the wrong political camp, as practiced by conservatives. Solutions should be based on the facts and evidence, indicating what will work, regardless its political origin.
Exactly.
Hence the made up term.."Classical Liberal".