“But over time, the executive branch grew exceedingly powerful. Two world wars emphasized the president’s commander in chief role and removed constraints on its power. By the second half of the 20th century, the republic was routinely fighting wars without its legislative branch, Congress, declaring war, as the Constitution required. With Congress often paralyzed by political conflict, presidents increasingly governed by edicts.”
Not to be churlish but does gay marriage just not count as progressive now? Or marijuana legalization? Exceptions to the rule possibly, but pretty fucking big exceptions if so.
A bit, sure. But while I’m happy people can marry whoever they want, it’s not meaningful change for like 90% of Americans. It’s not economic change. What little they’ve done there in the past 30-40 years has been weak, stop-gap, pared-down versions of good progressive ideas. How’s that universal healthcare going again? Oh right, we got the ACA instead which did some good things and helped some people, no question, but it didn’t change much for most Americans.