<P> Leading intellectuals also shaped the progressive mentality . In Dynamic Sociology (1883) Lester Frank Ward laid out the philosophical foundations of the Progressive movement and attacked the laissez - faire policies advocated by Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner . In The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), Thorstein Veblen attacked the "conspicuous consumption" of the wealthy . Educator John Dewey emphasized a child - centered philosophy of pedagogy, known as progressive education, which affected schoolrooms for three generations . </P> <P> Income inequality in the United States has been on the rise since 1970, as the wealthy continue to hold more and more wealth and income . For example, 95% of income gains from 2009 to 2013 went to the top 1% of wage earners in the United States . Progressives have recognized that lower union rates, weak policy, globalization, and other drivers have caused the gap in income . The rise of income inequality has led Progressives to draft legislation including, but not limited to, reforming Wall Street, reforming the tax code, reforming campaign finance, closing loopholes, and keeping domestic work . </P> <P> Progressives began to demand stronger Wall Street regulation after they perceived deregulation and relaxed enforcement as leading to the financial crisis of 2008 . Passing the Dodd - Frank financial regulatory act in 2010 provided increased oversight on financial institutions and the creation of new regulatory agencies, but many Progressives argue its broad framework allows for financial institutions to continue to take advantage of consumers and the government . Bernie Sanders, among others, has advocated to reimplement Glass - Steagall for its stricter regulation and to break up the banks because of financial institutions' market share being concentrated in fewer corporations than progressives would like . </P> <P> In 2009, the Congressional Progressive Caucus outlined five key healthcare principles they intended to pass into law . The CPC mandated a nationwide public option, affordable health insurance, insurance market regulations, an employer insurance provision mandate, and comprehensive services for children . In March 2010, Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was intended to increase the affordability and efficiency of the United States healthcare system . Although considered a success by progressives, many argued that it didn't go far enough in achieving healthcare reform, as exemplified with the Democrats' failure in achieving a national public option . In recent decades, Single - payer healthcare has become an important goal in healthcare reform for progressives . In the 2016 Democratic Primary, progressive Democratic Socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders raised the issue of a single - payer healthcare system, citing his belief that millions of Americans are still paying too much for health insurance, and arguing that millions more don't receive the care they need . In 2016, an effort was made to implement a single - payer healthcare system in the state of Colorado, known as ColoradoCare (Amendment 69). Senator Bernie Sanders held rallies in Colorado in support of the Amendment leading up to the vote . Despite high - profile support, Amendment 69 failed to pass, with just 21.23% of voting Colorado residents voting in favor, and 78.77% against . </P>

What accounts for the rise of progressivism at the turn of the twentieth century