Characterising progressives as fascists would be laughable if it were not so offensive. Mussolini built his brutal regime on the corpses of progressive socialists and social-democrats as well as Italian communists and liberal democrats. Progressivism does not equate statism. In fact, radical capitalists and political conservatives are more than happy to fall back on the resources of government when it suits to "nationalise" the losses - such as "market-guy" George W. Bush was happy to do in response to the Fanny May/Freddy Mac failures.

Having said that, however, it is impossible to defend the naked pursuit of power demonstrated by Labor, or the nanny-state approach endorsed by the Greens. No doubt there is a need for a new progressive party, but it must be willing to confront the logic of capitalism outside the constraints of parliament, by promoting workplace democracy, the self-determination and autonomy of workers, and the rights of women, migrants and queers, out there in the real world. Direct action groups like GetUp show, in part, how this is possible.

Redwedge, the Fanny Mae/Freddie Mac failures were the result of progressive utopian ideals.

Why should mortgages only be available to those who can repay them, eh?
That's unfair/unequal!

Let's just give mortgages to anyone, no matter how economically dysfunctional.