Via driftglass (whom you should be reading), I learned a new word today: puritopian.
It’s actually an entry in the Urban Dictionary. I added the word Progressive to it, because I suspect there are conservative puritopians as well.
Here’s the meaning from Urban Dictionary:
A Puritopian is a self-described liberal or progressive whose political orientation is to be angry, dissatisfied, and unhappy with the state of the nation, because in their view, liberal policies are not being implemented quickly or forcefully enough. They have particular contempt for Democratic presidents.
They are ideological purists who disdain compromise and incremental change, which they see as “selling out” liberal ideas like full employment, an end to war, and liberal social policy. Their views can often sound like utopian fantasy where opposing views never exist.
Puritopians dislike Republicans, but reserve their greatest disdain for Democratic presidents, whom they relentlessly attack for not meeting a set of ideological goal posts that are constantly adjusted to ensure that the president will be deemed a disappointment, “not progressive enough” or “just like a Republican” no matter what policy achievements are made.
Puritopians routinely dismiss or ignore Congress’ role in making or impeding policy, believing presidents can simply “use the bully pulpit” in order to overcome constitutional or legislative obstacles.
Puritopians have an affinity for 3rd party politics as a way to punish Democratic presidents. They are especially hostile to President Obama and deem anyone who expresses a lack of ill will toward him to be “Obamabots” and enemies of liberalism.
Obviously, this will need to be updated if Joe Biden becomes president. Because I’m sure we will still have Progressive Puritopians with us?
Have you ever known one? Are YOU one? Let’s hope not – it’s going to take all of us working together, no matter how far left or right we are, to repair the disastrous damage done to our nation and our world by Trump, Trumpism, and the GOP that went along with him/it/them.
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