asimov's fiction is full of allegories about the dichotomy of what he called progressive politicians, who were in support of space travel and science, and conservative politicians, who were earth-first and opposed space exploration. he reflects the way the words were understood in his day.

my point is just to draw attention to the spectrum reversal.

nowadays, politicians that call themselves progressive are the loudest opponents of science and are almost identical to what asimov ridiculed as conservatives. they really ought to do themselves a favour and get new branding, because they are not what they think they are.