More On Pragmatism

If pragmatism is walking the straightest line to achieve an end or being focused above all else on ends rather than means (without introducing ethical conundrums, at least for the purpose of this thought experiment), doesn't the notion of "pragmatic progressive" seem a bit outlandish?

Consider:

"Pragmatic" is used to modify "progressive," meaning that progressive is inherently non-pragmatic, a label to indicate pie-in-the-sky dreaming and the like.

But also consider:

The scope our nation's problems during the current crisis require a) an unprecedented (at least since the 20th Century's Great Depression) scope and b) real solutions, would it not be pragmatic to put together the most progressive policy solutions? Methinks yes (or else I wouldn't write this).

"Pragmatic" is being used as a code-word for "compromise on first principles to the corporatocracy and have an excuse for selling out the left-of-center, not to mention the best interests."

I sure as shit hope that Bob Rubin's apologies (of sorts) of late and the newfound progressivism of many of the financial/fiscal/economic-policy elite of the Democratic party is genuine. Or else we will not end up with the solutions needed to cross the threshold of saving our economy and restructuring it for longer-term success - we need progressive action to right this ship, that is, we need to be pragmatic, which means to choose progressive solutions here.

"Pragmatic" can only modify "progressive" in the sense of the former yielding the latter. All else is simply window-dressing on an ideological and political shell game.