I call them Progressives for two reasons. One, they have tried to hide from that label for nearly a hundred years. Two, it is what they are and is directly tied to communism. I do it to shine the light on the cockroaches not to honor them.
You knowledge of the background for the word may be miles ahead of mine, and your point may be sound as can be. The problem (as I see it) is that the general public will see no further than the positive aspects of the word “Progressive”. “Oh, they’re progressive. Wow, I like that...”