Archives
Best and Worst Presidents
Robert Tracinski at TIA Daily had a great question that could be used to evaluate presidential candidates based upon the qualities of past presidents. Who are the five best and the three worst presidents in US history, and briefly with a focus on essentials why?
Below is my judgment on the question:
- ** The Worst List **
3) John F. Kennedy – His failed administration became a false ideal that subsequent Presidents (Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Clinton) followed to the weaken America through collectivist politics.
2) Woodrow Wilson – He championed two concepts that continue to kill around the world: the racist idea of self-determination, and the elevation of majority rule over individual rights through the concept of democracy.
1) James Buchanan – His failure in his role as head of state to unify the nation resulted in the Civil War.
** The Best List **
5) Ronald Reagan – He strengthened America by restoring the position of President within our system of checks and balances after the failed presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Carter.
4) James Madison – At a time of international crisis, he held firm to American principles and defended the country within the context of the then young Constitution.
3) James Monroe – Through his Monroe doctrine, he asserted America’s role and American ideas in the world.
2) Thomas Jefferson – Through the Louisiana Purchase, he established the precedent of America as expansionist, which is true not only physically but also intellectually.
1) George Washington – As the first President and a man of integrity, he established the precedents and standards by which all presidents are judged, including the critical role of the president as a unifying power for the country.
There are some interesting parallels between these two lists:
1) Washington v. Buchanan demonstrates that the most important role of the president is not partisan but unifying the country through his role as head of state.
2) Jefferson-Monroe-Madison v. Wilson contrasts American values and the values of collectivism.
3) Reagan v. Kennedy is a corollary to the second point: the impact of a flawed individual’s use of powerful ideas. In Reagan’s case, an individual horribly flawed by his belief in mysticism could by focusing upon a few key and valid ideas still achieve significant beneficial results even if limited.
jwoodswce at 10:08:00 AM EDT Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
By the way, I submitted 3 times to emphasize my point, so haha.
-
What are you guys (some of you) saying?! Obviosly Abraham Lincoln is the best president. He freed the slaves and held no grudge against the South. He was an honerable and noble man who should have been more accepted by some people. Even though he may have been murdered, most of his cabinet (who also were to have been murdered) survived their aweful attacks. This is my own opinion and I feel you should have your own, but you can't hate President Lincoln for trying to save the lives of all the slaves.
One thing I do wish to say is that he did think that caucasion people were better than others. This is (of course unfair). -
What are you guys (some of you) saying?! Obviosly Abraham Lincoln is the best president. He freed the slaves and held no grudge against the South. He was an honerable and noble man who should have been more accepted by some people. Even though he may have been murdered, most of his cabinet (who also were to have been murdered) survived their aweful attacks. This is my own opinion and I feel you should have your own, but you can't hate President Lincoln for trying to save the lives of all the slaves.
One thing I do wish to say is that he did think that caucasion people were better than others. This is (of course unfair). -
What are you guys (some of you) saying?! Obviosly Abraham Lincoln is the best president. He freed the slaves and held no grudge against the South. He was an honerable and noble man who should have been more accepted by some people. Even though he may have been murdered, most of his cabinet (who also were to have been murdered) survived their aweful attacks. This is my own opinion and I feel you should have your own, but you can't hate President Lincoln for trying to save the lives of all the slaves.
One thing i do wish to say is that he did think that caucasion people were better than others. This is (of course unfair).
10/4/06 8:22 PM