Tea Partiers, Progressives and Political Ideologies

Scott at Powerline discusses a piece on the Tea Party movement by Michael Barone:

In "Tea partiers embrace liberty, not big government," Barone situates the Tea Party movement at one end of "an argument between the heirs of two fundamental schools of political thought, the Founders and the Progressives." Barone describes it as an old argument that has "been raised again by the expand-government policies of the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders." Barone optimistically observes that "[m]ost Americans... are rejecting the path of dependence and are intent on declaring their independence once again." Here's hoping.

Of course, the Progressives have good intentions. Scott also recommends some books and articles on the ideologica origins of the Progressive Movement in America. With special attention to Woodrow Wilson.

Given the tense political times in which are are living, it might be a good idea to understand a little better where Progressive are coming from.