Not true re: liberals and so-called "progressives."  Liberals purposefully rebranded themselves as "progressive" after the term liberal had worn out its welcome.  Same will happen with "progressive" after folks realize it's the same old failed policy in a new dress.

 

Sure, people misuse labels all the time.  Progressive isn't really progressive, since it attempts to take us down old paths that we've moved on from in the past.  But it sounds cool.  It makes a nice fashion statement.  So, some may associate themselves with that term because the sound of it reflects their attitude instead of their true political feelings.  Maher likes to call himself Libertarian, but in reality he's anything but.  Ditto RINOs who claim to be conservative.  And leftys who think conservative is "backwards."  Au contraire, they are about preserving what is good about and what has proven to have worked in the past.  That's not backwards at all, that's learning from experience and history.  It's using common sense, no need to reinvent the wheel - just use it more innovative ways.  Do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

---