I was reflecting today on the presidents I have known during the course of my four-plus decades in these United States. I am having a hard time recalling one who was really liked by the majority of the American people. How about you? Two people mentioned President Eisenhower today. I don't recall his tenure.
Here's my list:
President Lyndon Johnson: Although I was much too young for his presidency, I know he was blamed for the escalation of the Vietnam War and showing his surgical scar in an inappropriate manner.
President Richard Nixon: In the summer of 1972, the Watergate hearings played non-stop on our neighbor’s television as we traded baseball cards and planned prank phone calls. My impression of this period was the first time I knew government could not be trusted. Maybe that’s a good thing.
President Gerald Ford: I remember the parodies on “Saturday Night Live” of his clumsy nature and that probably helped make his White House stay a temporary thing.
President Jimmy Carter: My neighbors, who didn’t care for Nixon, ridiculed the gentleman peanut farmer. High mortgage rates, high unemployment, low thermostats and the energy crisis didn’t do much for his presidential career.
President Ronald Reagan: A target for generous ridicule among the younger set. An older man who came from Hollywood, he was portrayed as a narrow-minded geezer who called his wife “Mommy.” Those who said lousy things about President Reagan were pikers compared to their colleagues of the future.
President George H.W. Bush: Read his lips. No new taxes. Here was a man who somehow squandered all the good will he had during the first part of his term and showed just how quickly the people can turn on you. President Obama should study this chapter of history pretty closely.
President Bill Clinton: Felt your pain, but didn’t stop there. I remember President Clinton as a stellar communicator, but a lousy liar. The economy was good, until the last 9 months of his term. Hmmm….sounds familiar.
President George Bush: Never had a chance. His term began under a cloud of anger and ends much the same way.
Although I did not vote for President Obama, I am American citizen and will continue to root for this country. I would ask the other voters who may be disappointed their candidates didn’t win to do us all a favor: Take the high road.
Have respect for the president. Refrain from name calling, maligning, slandering and smack talking the leader of the free world.
The one thing I won’t miss about the last eight years is the gutter-sniping and overwhelming vitriol directed at the president, the vice president, their wives, children and cabinet members. Comparisons to Nazis, chimpanzees, cave dwellers, gun crazies, cultists, mental patients and high school dropouts should be avoided at all costs when addressing members of the new administration. Turnabout is not fair play. You’re better than that. If you have a legitimate gripe, address it without the name calling.
For those who spent the last eight years in a blind rage: Get some class. And, get over it. Let it go, You’ve held on to your anger for eight years now. Free it like a dove. Live in the now. You’ll feel better. Enjoy the day.
Corbett
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