[Indidockobeni]

I'm bored. So I decided to create a couple of polls in the forums. I pose this question to you...

Who was the greatest of the last 10 U.S. Presidents? Please tell us why.

[occurrini]

Personally, I picked Eisenhower.

He presided over an era in which America, still got the big jobs done, such as the Space Race ( NASA ), enlarge Social Security, and begain the National Highway System. As for forgein policy, he oversaw the cease-fire in Korea, and made nuclear deturrence a policy, that kept the Soviet Union at bay ( Atoms for Peace speech comes to mind ).

His views on Civil Rights were ahead of its time, and made appointments to the Courts ( like Warren ), is a highpoint in Judical Law for this country, ( Brown v. Board, Miranda v. Arizona, Loving v. Virginia, amungst other major ruling rules ) Yeah, Eisenhower is said to detest putting Warren on the court, but we can't change the past.

[chzvacmyye]

Personally, I picked Eisenhower.

He presided over an era in which America, still got the big jobs done, such as the Space Race ( NASA ), enlarge Social Security, and begain the National Highway System. As for forgein policy, he oversaw the cease-fire in Korea, and made nuclear deturrence a policy, that kept the Soviet Union at bay ( Atoms for Peace speech comes to mind ).

He also presided over the most equitable wealth distribution in American history. The income tax was graduated to 91% in the highest category.

That's partly what accounts for the late Fifties being perceived as a golden age.

And he warned of the imminent military-industrial complex, which in time took over.

* * *

I picked Kennedy. He had the power to inspire us to wish for a better world --and actually work towards it.

[NikolaAAA]

I choose Silvi... uh... I mean Dwight Eisenhower... but BR, if you're truly bored and want to get a passionate discussion going on this forum, the question should have been: "Who was the greatest of the last 10 U.S. First Ladies...".

[appleiphoneees]

He also presided over the most equitable wealth distribution in American history. The income tax was graduated to 91% in the highest category.

That's partly what accounts for the late Fifties being perceived as a golden age.

And he warned of the imminent military-industrial complex, which in time took over.

For some reason, the 1950s seem be be perceived as a sleepy time, a between the wars lull in geopolitics; a time when the US exhibited its industrial might and the pursuit of leisure. Eisenhower became associated with it - a golf club swinging custodian.

In reality, the decade was very dangerous. Of the post WWII veterans who rose in prominence, Eisenhower was a good choice for president. His wartime experience as Allied commander served him well as preparation for international diplomacy. Things might have been much different if Douglas McArthur became president.

I picked Kennedy. He had the power to inspire us to wish for a better world --and actually work towards it. My choice also.

I remember a documentary about JFK as senator and president. When historians were asked to access his political life, the common theme was unrealized possibilities, that he was just beginning to understand his role.

[pXss8cyx]

I voted for Richard Nixon. Why, you ask? Just to be cantankerous? Just to be perverse?

Just because.

Because I know no one else is likely to vote for him.

Take away the Vietnam War, the secret war in Cambodia, the dirty tricks, the extra-legal, unconstitutional use of police powers, the financial shenanigans, the paranoia tinged with racial weirdness, and -- well -- all things considered, he was an okay fella.

As I understand it, Nixon was the last president before Clinton to propose legislation for national health care, which the Democratic-controlled Congress of the day then shot down.

My how things have changed. That was probably the last real chance the U.S. had at a single-payer health-care system.

What else. There was that lovely "Checkers Speech." They kept the dog. Awwwhhhh... I wuv doggies-woggies. Without Checkers we might never have heard of Tricky Dick.

There was the 1972 handshake with Mao in Beijing. How often do you get to see two megalomaniacs of that stature together in one place? Oh yeah, I forgot about this.

Presidents. "Some are gone, yet some remain..."

I let myself get excited about Clinton and I was disappointed. I let myself get really excited about Obama, in spite of myself. I am already having my doubts...

My friends tell me I am becoming a curmudgeon.

I tell them I am an optimist. I tell them I take the long view. I tell them I am a Buddhist.

I voted for Nixon.

Metta,
hb

[colmedindustry]

I think Johnson has the most enduring legacy with the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the creation of Medicare.

I actually voted for Carter, because I believe he has embodied the core principles of the nation more than any other president: human rights.

[weightpillsnow]

I elect bill because he did NOT have a sexual relationship with that woman> .AND he smoked it once and DIDNT inhale! YEAH, Bills the man!

[Ferrotoral]

I can remember all of these presidents. Nixon also opened up the entire west coast waterfront as public property, but then of course he had to go dweeb on us and wear shorts with shoes and black socks on said beach.

[Qynvtlur]

I wonder which president comedians would vote for as the best source of material?

[biannaruh]

Huh huh yeah I guess you're right I shoulda told Hillary about that woman...

[Bemapayople]

Poll was closed too soon; only 14 voted.

[MpbY5dkR]

They forgot the added element of Maggie Thatcher licking his shoes.

[sitescools]

Methinks Ronnie wasn't quite that trim while serving as POTUS.

Here he is, with Nancy & friend, in 1984:



With another set of friends in 1982:

[FYvWldC0]

He's in Spanx.

[trilochana.nejman]

Late in Reagan's term (1987):

[Qwjyrgij]

I'm working and am a bit disracted. I caught the title of the thread out of the corner of my eye: "Who was the greatest ...."

I don't know why, but I assumed it was for the greatest singer of all time.

If any one is interested, I was going to respond "Sinatra".

[BuyNetHosting]

Ablarc, it happened again.

[ValdisSeroff]

Codex: In your US-President-Statues-in-London post, you forgot to include Ronald Reagan at Madame Tussauds:

[Blacksheepaalredy]

Ablarc, it happened again.

Wired London?

Or London Wired?