The term "progressives", when used in a derogatory sense, is not meant to apply to actual progress, but rather to people who keep charging ahead beyond what is sensible, or who strive for "progress" towards goals which are seen as destructive. The people who show contempt for "progressives" usually have no problem with legitimate progress that significantly enhances society, but instead are annoyed by people who chase after the newest way to be stupid just because it's new.