best and worse USA presidents

mikepegg44 wrote:

brianlux wrote:

I don't understand the hatred for Jimmy Carter. I think he was one of our greatest presidents because he was one of the most honest. He was hated because Americans often don't like to hear the truth.

An example of what I mean is highlighted here by writer Andrew Bacevich who had this to say about Carter in an interview with Bill Moyers:

"ANDREW BACEVICH: Well, this is the so-called Malaise Speech, even though he never used the word "malaise" in the text to the address. It's a very powerful speech, I think, because President Carter says in that speech, oil, our dependence on oil, poses a looming threat to the country. If we act now, we may be able to fix this problem. If we don't act now, we're headed down a path in which not only will we become increasingly dependent upon foreign oil, but we will have opted for a false model of freedom. A freedom of materialism, a freedom of self-indulgence, a freedom of collective recklessness. And what the President was saying at the time was, we need to think about what we mean by freedom. We need to choose a definition of freedom which is anchored in truth, and the way to manifest that choice, is by addressing our energy problem.

He had a profound understanding of the dilemma facing the country in the post Vietnam period. And of course, he was completely hooted, derided, disregarded."

(For those of you who believe this to be liberal inanity, I should point out that Bacevich is a well respected conservative.)

Stagflation. tough to be considered a good president when you sit over a time of stagnant business, high unemployment, disproportionate rise in the cost of living, and increased government spending which didn't do much to combat the problem. Hmmm, sounds familiar.

riotgrl wrote:

mikepegg44 wrote:

brianlux wrote:

I don't understand the hatred for Jimmy Carter. I think he was one of our greatest presidents because he was one of the most honest. He was hated because Americans often don't like to hear the truth.

An example of what I mean is highlighted here by writer Andrew Bacevich who had this to say about Carter in an interview with Bill Moyers:

"ANDREW BACEVICH: Well, this is the so-called Malaise Speech, even though he never used the word "malaise" in the text to the address. It's a very powerful speech, I think, because President Carter says in that speech, oil, our dependence on oil, poses a looming threat to the country. If we act now, we may be able to fix this problem. If we don't act now, we're headed down a path in which not only will we become increasingly dependent upon foreign oil, but we will have opted for a false model of freedom. A freedom of materialism, a freedom of self-indulgence, a freedom of collective recklessness. And what the President was saying at the time was, we need to think about what we mean by freedom. We need to choose a definition of freedom which is anchored in truth, and the way to manifest that choice, is by addressing our energy problem.

He had a profound understanding of the dilemma facing the country in the post Vietnam period. And of course, he was completely hooted, derided, disregarded."

(For those of you who believe this to be liberal inanity, I should point out that Bacevich is a well respected conservative.)

Stagflation. tough to be considered a good president when you sit over a time of stagnant business, high unemployment, disproportionate rise in the cost of living, and increased government spending which didn't do much to combat the problem. Hmmm, sounds familiar.

But the US had been in an economic cycle of unsustainable growth since the 1950s and I would actually blame various presidents (unemployment was at about 12% during 1974 under Nixon/Ford and at about 13% by the time Carter left office) but more importantly the Federal Reserve for at least part of the problems that had been brewing for a while. Presidents always inherit problems from their predecessors and must do the best they can with the good and bad they are given. Carter attempted to do what he could to stabilize the economy but most measures take time to implement (having to work with Congress who are the ones that actually make law not the President) and more time to see results. I like Carter and think he was a genuinely good man who tried to do good but he was not a politician and was not willing to play the game. I think that is just one of the many reasons I like to read his books and give credence to many of his beliefs because he actually has principles that he lives by. I've always liked his stance on alternative energy sources even though he was laughed out of office over things like putting solar panels on the White House. What if we had implemented some of those policies? While he will never be remembered as a great president, he has certainly earned my respect.

VivaPalestina wrote:

Andrew Johnson was an Indian Killer, Woodrow Wilson put feminists in jail for wanting to vote. If I were an Indian or feminist those would be my worst, i guess its perspective.

There was mention of Carter as a worst because of the hostage crisis. I saw a docu filmed 6 years ago where one of those freed hostages is near tears thanking Carter for his life.

mikepegg44 wrote:

This is politics, time to work isn't something we give most of our programs. But you said it yourself, He may have had ideas, but they didn't work and some didn't get implemented. You cannot be judged by what you wanted to do, you can only be judged by the job you did. He is a good person, but that doesn't always translate into a successful politician.

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

by the way, reagan belongs on my personal list of worst presidents.

Juan Godoy wrote:

amazing all the comments.. thanks guy!! so far so good..
The only surprise i had until here is that i thought W. Bush it would be more hated than this, just my opinion

thanks, keep on giving you opinion!

Juan Godoy wrote:

The only surprise i had until here is that i thought W. Bush it would be more hated than this, just my opinion