Originally Posted by BBQMan

The Progressive movement in the US started early inn the Twentieth century and was originally located in California. It was based upon the belief that one group, specifically northern European people were superior to other races. It was to persist there until after WWII. Fully one third of sterilizations performed in the United States in the Twentieth century were done under the auspices of the California State Government.

Eugenics was not to remain restricted to California. The Progressives adopted it and one of their leading lights, Woodrow Wilson who came to the White House from Princeton, brought the ideas of Eugenics with him from his life in Academia. In the first year of his Presidency he ordered the segregation of the Navy, which throughout its history had been integrated. He also ordered segregation of the Civil Service in violation of the law. He also banned interracial marriage in the District of Columbia.

Segregation of the Civil Service quietly ended under subsequent Republican administrations, but full integration of the Armed Forces did not take place until ordered by President Truman.

The ideas of Eugenics continued to thrive and formed the intellectual underpinning of Hitler's 'master race'. Up until WWII, American support of Hitler and his ideas remained popular among Progressives. After the war, Nazi War Criminals cited California law in their defense. Today, the idea that there are special groups that are unable to succeed without government help is still alive and well with Progressives. They feel superior to those that they regard as underprivileged and feel entitled to decide for them what should be done. This was the origin of affirmative action in the 60's and these policies continue today. It's time to stop talking about 'fair share' and instead shift to an actual opportunity for everyone without consideration of race, gender, etc. The Progressive movement will never embrace this idea since it requires that all men/women be regarded as equal and the government stop trying to end discrimination by getting out of the discrimination business.