We really need to stop calling them "liberals" when they have nothing to do with liberalism.
American 'progressives' are real-life zombies who only think in whatever mode dictated to them by particular media sources.
I picture them 'progressing' toward a cliff's edge.
It's all a matter of perspective. But you're right, to the neutral observer, it seems much more positive and hopeful than those described as "far right" implying an unreasonably remote political position. Precise language is everything to the left.