President’s Day used to mean a 3-day weekend and some good sales to me. I never really paid enough attention to it or past Presidents and the decisions they made on a daily basis. You see, once upon a time, I had trust in my President, even one I didn’t vote for, because I still expected them to behave in a certain way. To lead. To have America’s best interest’s at heart versus their own. And if they didn’t, I expected Congress and our courts to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution, and thereby protect our democracy first and foremost. But now, everything seems broken.
Every day I feel despair over what we have normalized in the past year and the growing rot in the White House. But today the pain is even more acute as we honor our past Presidents. Some have been amazing. Others have not. But it never felt wrong honoring them, warts and all. Now, I feel sick to my stomach. But I take my antacid and remember what real leadership in America looks like and have faith that it will return.
When Leaders Led in Words and Deeds
Back when America had great leaders worthy of honor and celebration.
George Washington: Inaugural President of Our Great Country
A part of me imagines George Washington is rolling in his grave. But I hold onto his words …
FYI: Real patriots don’t collude with Russia. Nor ignore hostile foreign countries interference with our elections, which are sacred to democracy and offer hope to all those not free.
Abraham Lincoln: My Favorite President. PERIOD.
Seriously, I think he’s up in heaven going, “I died for this shit, people!” My favorite quote is the last one. I betcha it’s your’s too.
There is no greater power than our vote. Be sure you are registered to vote and make your voice heard on November 6, 2018.
FDR: We Liked Him Enough to Elect Him 4 Times
Imagine that … four times (he died shortly into his fourth term, which is why most people remember him serving three terms versus four). Ummm … why couldn’t Obama have been an option in 2016? Just asking for a few million friends.
Politicians seemed to have forgotten that serve at our leisure. Let’s remind them this November who the real boss is … and it ain’t the NRA, Putin or Emperor Baby Fists.
To be clear, the real boss was never Obama, Baby Bush, Clinton, Papa Bush, Reagan or George Washington either. We, the people, are the boss.
JFK: What Else Could He Have Done?
Some days I wonder if JFK had never been assassinated, how different would America be today? Better? Worse? The Same? It’s unfortunate we’ll never know.
We still haven’t made the world safe (or appreciative) of diversity. But we haven’t given up the fight either.’
Barack Obama: I Miss You. A Lot.
The sanity. Eloquence. Dignity. Integrity. Honor. And humanity. All of it. Plus, all the fabulous Obama Biden memes.
Our country is fractured and we’ve chosen teams. But we’re not better from doing so. Because he’s right, there shouldn’t be a liberal or conservative America but just the United State of America where the people are united in their shared belief in freedom, liberty and justice for all. Where anyone — no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation or gender — can achieve the American Dream and prosper without fear. This should be the goal of every President of this great nation.
Be the Change You Want
There are days when I feel numb or scared or angry. But I also have faith in America. In us. We’ve made bone-headed mistakes before but we have risen and stood tall for what is right. I believe we will do it again. I believe we must also be the change we want to see (like the #ParklandSurvivors who are leading the charge. So damn proud of them. They give me hope.) so I cannot repeat it enough … make sure you’re registered to vote and make your voice heard. Every vote matters so make sure your’s counts.
Tanya
I never knew that about FDR & the 4 terms… when did it become a 2 term thing? I’ll have to look that up now. Curiosity.
I wonder that with Kennedy as well.. . & even JFK Jr. I just envision him as becoming a politician himself & changing the world. We’ll never know.
I believe it was always 2-terms but they briefly changed the law for FDR because we were in the midst of the Great Depression and WW2. And he was extremely popular, I guess! Yeah, I also wonder about JFK and JFK, Jr. too. RFK for that matter too. And now I’m also going to stop with all my acronyms. 😀
There’s only one man that holds the office that is not President.
I think JFK would have been good throughout. I also think RFK would have been elected.
Yup. I agree. I may not have loved every President to grace the oval office but there is only one that I consider not worthy of the title. I agree that RFK would have been elected President too.
I love that quote from Lincoln. And the first one from Obama is so true.
Sigh… I can’t wait until we get a real president. Hate this.
I’m a big fan of Teddy, too.
A real President. Some day. Some day soon!
Love that you put this together with their quotes!! 🙂
Thanks, Mackenzie!