Communism sought to eliminate the system of social class. Which was retarded on so many levels that we might as well not even get into it. What the progressives seek to do (and I use the term ‘progressive’ in a broad, populist sense intended to encompass even Bullmoose politics) is to formally acknowledge the reality of the capitalist class system and make it as fair as possible.

This is really the opposite of communism. Marx said ‘let’s get rid of social class’ while moderate, modern Democrats say ‘let’s accept what it is and try to make the class system work better.’ Marx would be frothing at the mouth if he was alive to see this.

If you ever have the misfortune to talk to a bona-fide modern Socialist (they are really just Communists by another name) you will find that they hate the kind of things that Lowell is talking about even more than you do. Because they see progressive politics as their greatest enemy. A means of justifying and continuing the capitalist system and preventing it’s worst excesses from leading to an out-right revolution. Wheras they love guys like you, because hard-right economic politics are what they need to create the popular dissatisfaction that their storm-crow politics feed on.