Let's call this caucus what it is -- Congress' very own Red Army. They are card-carrying members of the so-called 'Progressive Caucus,' marching the nation inevitably toward its self-proclaimed socialist ideal.

The names and faces change occasionally, but you can see a pretty current roster on the Web site of the Democratic Socialists of America. The caucus is led by avowed Socialist Rep. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon.

, Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York, Rep. Major Owens of New York, Rep. Nydia Velazquez of New York, Rep. Lane Evans of Illinois and Rep. Maxine Waters of California. Retired Rep. Ron Dellums was a long-time member of the executive committee and a leading DSA member. His replacement and political protege, Rep. Barbara Lee of California, proudly joins the club in his footsteps.

Unlike most members of Congress, the Progressive Caucus has a purpose, an objective, a goal. It is "organized around the principles of social and economic justice, a non-discriminatory society and national priorities which represent the interests of all people, not just the wealthy and the powerful."