Importance:
I addressed the importance of defining the Progressive Philosophy in my last post, but wanted to clarify a couple things based on comments.  You don't have to believe in every single progressive issue to be participate in this discussion as a 'good' progressive.  That's the point of developing a Philosophy.  If we can agree on a general philosophy, then we can discuss which issues best support that philosophy and we can have good, healthy disagreements without looking divided.

How to rate:
Last time I introduced the BEE test(Brevity, Encompassing, Enticing) to rate different definition of a progressive philosophy.
Based on some comments and reflection I've decided to add a fourth test: Divisive.    This is because when we define our selves it implies that others don't believe the same thing.  It's not to say that conservatives don't believe in it, but it does imply that they don't which is politically convenient for us.

For instance taking the Vulcan Philosophy again that

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.

To Say that all Democrats believe that and that's why they're Democrats, it has the subtle implication that Conservatives believe the opposite.  

Now that we've established BEE test 2.0 or BEED(Brevity, Encompassing, Enticing, and Divisive) let's rate some more Definitions.

The Democracy Alliance
For those who don't know about the Democracy Alliance, it is an alliance of wealthy contributors that are trying to invest in Liberal and Progressive "Infrastructure".  Rob Stein, one of the co-founders, read an informal statement of the Alliance's beliefs at a panel discussion.

An Enduring Belief in the self-evident truth that all men and women are created equal and governments that derive their just powers from the consent of the governed are founded on reason, rule of law, and principles of mutual responsibility.

Brevity:  
Obviously not very short if a 5 second elevator pitch is the goal.  This takes me about 12 seconds to say at a normal pitch.  Maybe you could drop the first part to make it more brief for when you need too.  Progressives believe governments are founded on reason, rule of law, and principles of mutual responsibility.  That only takes about 6 seconds to say.

Encompassing:  
I believe that this is very encompassing.  This is so encompassing that it could even cover a Progressive foreign policy.
I believe that we shouldn't torture because I believe in 'the rule of law'.
I believe we should treat other people's with respect because 'all men and women are created equal'.
We need to raise the minimum wage because we have a 'mutual responsibility to each other' for a living wage.

Enticing:  
It does sound enticing.  Who isn't in favor of reason, and the rule of law?  Maybe anarchists aren't for rule-of-law, but by definition I don't think they vote...  Also, racists might not think that 'all men and women are created equal', but they can stay in the Republican party as far as I'm concerned.

Divisive:  
The first philosophy to be tested by the new 'Divisive' test, and it holds up surprisingly well.  
Progressives believe in 'Reason' which implies Conservatives don't, or, better yet, they believe in right wing fundamentalist ideology.
Progressives believe in the 'rule of law' which implies Conservatives don't.  Like torturing, or hiding child molesters for the benefit of power.
Progressives believe in 'Mutual Responsibility' which implies Conservatives don't think only of individual responsibility.

I really like this definition, and would love to hear some critiques on it in the comments.

Peter from WI
In response to my last post a few commenters tried to offer their own definition.  Over at mydd there was this one.

Jeffersonian politics: government of, by, and for the people.

Of: Government is made up by people for whom public service is the highest ideal (read: not a way to self-aggrandizement or the like)
By: Government is created through demcoratic means where peoples' voices are heard (especially over economic royalists, truly special interests, and straight cash)
For: Government is an advocate for the public interest and takes an active role in working for the common good.

Brevity:  
This is a nice Sound bite. Obviously if you're in a hurry you would just say the first sentence.  I believe in Jeffersonian politics, that is, government of, by, and for the people.  Very brief as it's only about 4 seconds so it definitely passes.

Encompassing:  
It's definitely high level enough to pass the encompassing part.  It might take some fleshing out to translate into policies.
I believe in the right to privacy because Government is "For" the people, not the other way around.
I believe in Democratic reforms because government is by the people.  
Like I said, it would need some fleshing out.

Enticing:  
Come on, who doesn't want to evoke one of the founding fathers in a sound bite?  Enough said.

Divisive:  
This test might be where this definition falls apart.  I think the only thing that this definition implies is that Republicans are for Authoritarian Dictatorship.  As true as that is, I think it's the only thing that it implies about the opposite philosophy.

msnook
Another commenter from mydd offers us a good definition.  I think the idea was to co-op the conservative frames and improve them to our own view on life.

can start by redefining conservative principles

Family values -> community values (that means no bigotry)
strong defense -> smart defense
small government -> personal privacy or lean government

Brevity:  
I believe in community values, a smart defense, and personal privacy  3 Seconds!  Damn! A++ in this category.

Encompassing:  
I believe in community values that's why I'm for strong education, it helps the community.  We must not invade Iraq because it's not part of a smart defense.  Warantless wiretapping is wrong because I believe in personal privacy.  What can I say? It works.

Enticing:  
I challenge someone to find anyone who doesn't agree with those values.

Divisive:  
Another Definition that shines on this test.  Democrats believe in the community -> Republicans only care about themselves.  Democrats believe in a smart defense, Republicans are like drunks in a bar swinging a broken bottle at whoever comes close.  Democrats are for personal privacy, Republicans want to monitor your sex life.

pegleghippiecatadromous
I hope the 2 Kos commenters forgive me for lumping their 2 philosophies together.  I put them together because, while worded differently, I believe have the same strengthsweaknesses.  Comments are here and here.

pegleghippie's

I believe in a high standard of life for everyone, bar none.

catadromous's

everybody matters.

Brevity:  
Both pass with flying colors.  A+++

Encompassing:  
This is the only one where pegleghippie's falls down.  It only really describes economic issues, but not Social or Foreign relations.  Catadromous's would cover economic and Social, but might be a stretch for Foreign affairs.  Everybody matters that's why we must eliminate poverty around the world.  It might work.

Enticing:  
Who doesn't think everybody matters?

Divisive:  
Democrats believe everybody matters, conservatives only care about themselves or elite high dollar donors.

Trends
One thing that I've already noticed is that all of these definitions are very people oriented across what I've reviewed in this post and part I.  "All men and women are created equal", "everybody matters",  "community values", "we're all in it together".  Also a trend is people really tend to emphasize economic fairness and social justice. "High Standard of living, "Government for the people", "Fighting for economic justice and security for all", "America should be a country of boundless opportunity".

Even though this is only my second post in this series it leads me to consider something I did not expect to find.  What we're building with the modern "progressive" movement really is either a continuation or rebirth of the progressive movement of the last century.  To say a Progressive is just a liberal with a computer, or a progressive is a liberal who doesn't want to be called a liberal(something I have to admit has crossed my mind) is incorrect.

In conclusion,  I think I now like msnook's definition best so far, even better than Waldman's.  As I find more and more definitions I hope to analyze them against me Brevity, Enticing, Encompassing, and Divisive(BEED) test.  Please feel free to use the comments to propose your own progressive definition or to critique my 'BEED' test.  I've included a few 'top' performers from the last poll in this poll.  I plan on keeping this series going for as long as people show an interest in it.

Poll Which Definition do you like best? Congressional Progressive Caucus's Progressive Democrats of America's Center for American Progress's Paul Waldman's Democracy Alliances's Peter from WI's msnook's pegleghippie\catadromous Other (proposed in comments) Vulcan Philosophy Votes: 2 Results : Vote Link : Polls