Republished with permission from VoxFairfax.com.
Over eight years, 1954-1962, Ronald Reagan, as spokes master for the popular TV series General Electric Theatre, opened each episode with an introduction that “Progress is our most important product.” While economists and corporate pundits might agree on measures of progress to gauge a company’s accomplishments, political and social progress in society largely escape measure, or at least any that receives common consensus.
Progress in the industrial or commercial sector tends to be responsive to competition. At the same time, such progress is an outcome and a process guided by leadership. Failure to progress may result in the decline of market value or unwelcome takeover, even bankruptcy.
Voters, constituents, and residents of this nation, its states, and localities, possess an instinct for social progress that is sometimes reflected by choices of elected officials. Between elections, the social progress barometer of those interested cohorts is subjected to, in large measure, the success or failure of bills in a legislative session.
Poll results can serve as an indicator of the views of the governed, providing legislators with a rationale for support or opposition to an issue. In 2015, SCOTUS ruled that all states must legally recognize same-sex marriages. A Gallup poll in June 2021 reported that 70% of Americans, including a 55% majority of Republicans, supported that position. Continue reading
