Prospects for Progressive Politics: A July 4th Interview With Activist Jeff Blum

This year, Americans celebrated their independence at a time when almost 10 percent of the workforce is officially unemployed, millions more are underemployed, and millions of families are losing their homes. Under these circumstances, why isn’t the left gaining momentum? What are the prospects for progressive politics? To answer these questions, on July 4, between the fireworks and the parades, I interviewed veteran activist Jeff Blum about the challenges and opportunities facing the progressive movement today.

Blum has been on the front lines of the progressive movement for 40 years. For 12 years he has been executive director of USAction, a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization with independent affiliates in 22 states. Under his leadership, USAction has broken ground on health care, budget and taxes, Social Security and the war in Iraq. Blum co-chairs and was one of the founders ofHealth Care for America Now (HCAN), which formed the progressive flank in last year’s health care debate. It played a key role in passing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which — with all its flaws — is the first guarantee of affordable health care for all Americans in our history.

Blum began as a community organizer in Boston in the 1970s. In 1980s he ran a statewide advocacy group in Pennsylvania that, among other significant victories, worked with then-Congressman Bob Edgar (D-PA) to pass the Toxic Chemical Right to Know law. He also helped pass Pennsylvania’s first statewide tax supporting public transit and led a successful campaign to reform the state’s Public Utility Commission. He was also a founder of Jewish Funds for Justice.

Dreier: What are the key things that progressive organizations need to do today to expand progressive power and shrink corporate power?

Blum: The first thing we need is a vision of progress that is rooted in American reality and history. I am drawn to the idea of “liberty and justice for all,” written as part of the Pledge of Allegiance by Rev. Francis Bellamy in 1892. Liberty and freedom are easier concepts in America than justice and equality. But the greatest political leaders – Lincoln, FDR, King – always linked them together. There are many other similar concepts. Van Jones is promoting the American Dream as an over-arching vision, and we’re working with him on that.

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