TheWiseOldFart

From 1789 until today, our government promised its citizens “free and fair elections.” For the most part, it was a promise kept until 2000. Beginning in 1981, the ugliest profession became increasingly vile and destructive. The ambitions of professional politicians drove our two political parties into a frenzy, placing reelection ahead of the public interest. The desire for power replaced any intent to “do the right thing” for the people of their country. Before I continue, let me repeat myself. The two reasons our legislative branch is dysfunctional are supported by fact, and are undeniable. Our Founding Fathers admitted to the imperfection of their efforts at the Constitutional Convention. Letters after its completion written by Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and others confirmed their naivete. They believed that their successors would improve upon what they had begun, and the results would become the creation of the greatest country in the world. Unfortunately, that never happened. I ha...

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart   My standards for evaluating America’s presidents are very high, but at the core is one question: “How did each president affect the quality of life for the majority of all America’s people?”   My opinion begins with the Declaration of Independence.   “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness .”   How well a president adheres to these principles proves h is or her value or lack of as our nation’s leader.   PRESIDENTS COME GO BUT FEW WILL BE REMEMBERED A S “GREAT”   In America’s 248 - year history, it’s easy to remember presidents which could be labeled as great. Most were “adequate,” a few “good,” and sadly a considerable number were “bad.” There have been 46 presidents, Grover Cleveland twice, but no t consecutively.   My selections for the worst in histo...