Progressivism is bizarre in a number of ways.  One is the degree to which it is highly effective in its tactics yet blind to long term strategy.  Tactics like demonizing its opponents, and using total lies, fake stories, rumors, etc.  But, the very nature of lies and deception are a huge liability that WILL come due in time.  Once widely discovered to be mostly lies, the whole facade loses credibiliity and then power and then stands without redeeming features. 

Here is another aspect.  The more tightly integrated the progressive movement is on its tactics of acquiring power, demonizing opponents and making a religion out of different sets of false beliefs, the further it gets from any real-world effectiveness.  Look at how caught up they are in a religious crusade for absurdities like transgender bathroom rights and ask yourself how that moves the world towards greater freedom, prosperity, security, or peace. 

In these senses, progressivism is not unlike a sprinter who is in long distance race.  They burst out from the starting line and gain a strong lead, but the very nature of their tactics ensures that they could not finish a race that includes any belief sets that are integrated with rational purposes, a sound view of reality, and embody honesty.  The danger is that progressivism is a transition tool.  Its true purpose is to use democracy as the lever to convert a fairly free nation into a totalitarian society.  Those sprinters are hoping that THEIR finish line (the transformation of America) is close enough that they will arrive before their scheme is uncovered.