The Progressive Movement of the late 19th century was rooted in a desire to improve the conditions of tenement housing, child labor, and working women. Divisive issues at the time, but we look back now and think how far we’ve come. For that, I see the “progress” in “progressive,” and like Julie and Benjamin, I see it as altruistic: an awareness that there’s always room for improvement and a willingness to work toward it, to move forward in the direction of a better world.

But here’s where it gets tricky. MSNBC’s current slogan is “Lean Forward.” Fox News’ slogan is “Move Forward,” while CNN’s is “Moving Truth Forward.” “Forward” is the motto of Wisconsin, a state currently governed by a politician who stripped union workers of collective bargaining rights. And rumor has it that President Obama’s 2012 campaign slogan will be (you guessed it!) “Forward.”

We all want progress. We just have different ideas about what that looks like.

Where else to go but…forward!

1. favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters: a progressive mayor.

2. making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.