Who do you think was the best US president?

[Ov3rmind]

Purely opinion, although I'm sure some idiot will start a political debate about why someone else's choice is wrong.

Anyway, I gotta hand it to FDR.

[Jack_Dubious]

Martin Sheen.



:p
JDub

[Konigballer]

FDR got the job done, no doubt about it. But to be honest, I think history will, and already has to some degree, take a damning view of his forcing thousands of japanese-AMERICAN citizens into internment camps. Security considerations aside, I think the racial implications of that decision are very obvious. Of course there were japanese-american spys in America then, but there was also quite an extensive nazi spy ring in place here as well and nothing that extreme and unconstitutional would have ever been tried with regular american civilians of german decent.

I like Thomas Jefferson even though idealist kind of get on my nerves, he made mistakes but the man really was one of a kind.

I also like Geaorge Washington, maybe more for contributing so much to our ability to have our own government in the first place by leading the colonial army to eventual victory in the Revolutionary War than anything he accomplished as President.

[DementedChild]

any democratic president.... sorry sticking to the role

[shartley]

I think because of how history is written and certain things are not generally known, it is almost impossible to say who the best President was.

[1stdeadeye]

Reagan!

He won a war that could have ended humanity as we know it. He did it with $ and not bullets.

My problem with FDR was his tactics. He should never have served 4 terms. He was as close as we have ever come to a dictator.

[Rooster]

FDR was a horrible president, but not because of what he did to the Japanese. That was perfectly acceptable and prudent at the time. FDR's socialist programs have done nothing but create a national acceptance of welfare and socialism. His programs did not help this country, and most only served to hurt it. His actions during the Yalta conference, when he was so sick that he should have resigned or been relieved, garunteed the start of the cold war. His only redeeming qualities are that he managed to surround himself with some of the greatest war time leaders this planet has ever known.

Reagan was the greatest president in history. He solved the greatest problem of our time, the communist problem.

[TransMan]

Rooster is EXACTLY right FDR blows donkey nuts and Reagan is The Man

[Lohman446]

Hmm.. this one was hard, and yes I am still a Republican but if we judge by major events. Somewhere the answer is in there, a top ten would have been much easier, and don't think this is a ranking, its as much random thoughts.

JFK - averted missiles in Cuba, pointed us to the moon. Kept the cold war cold.. rather than hot.

James Monroe - the Monroe doctrine defined our stance on world policy at the time.

Reagon - ended the cold war... without bloodshed (major).

Lincoln - held the union together, though he may have had a hand in trying to tear it apart to.

Jefferson Davis (not count?). The civil war was nearly unavoidable, but when he and Lee signed teh surrender they likely saved America from having many small countries that get along about as well as those in teh middle east and Europe.

[spantol]

No contest, William Henry Harrison: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/wh9.html

[FactsOfLife]

19th century, Lincoln.


20th, Ronaldus Magnus.

[Miscue]

19th century, Lincoln.


20th, Ronaldus Magnus.

Same here.

[spantol]

On second thought, what shartley said. Any qualitative comparison would require a certain degree of historical perspective--I think a couple more decades need to pass before any prize can be given to Reagan, for example.


I think because of how history is written and certain things are not generally known, it is almost impossible to say who the best President was.

[countchocula54]

clinton.....that guy is awsome...but when i can vote...(only 15) im gonna vote for the first guy to come out and say..."yeah, i was with her last night....we drank a few."

[HoboJudge]

Lincoln, you gotta love the big hat, not to mention he could totally beat up Washington or Reagan.

[silentdeath55]

The name "clinton" should never be used in the same sentence as "the best president" unless the word "not" is also being used.

FDR
Lincoln
Kennedy (although he was a democrat)
Bush(s)

[Digits]

Bill Clinton.. haha

He wouldn't want a pimp for a presidant?

[Ov3rmind]

FDR was a horrible president, but not because of what he did to the Japanese. That was perfectly acceptable and prudent at the time. FDR's socialist programs have done nothing but create a national acceptance of welfare and socialism.

At the time, this country NEEDED programs like that.


His programs did not help this country, and most only served to hurt it.

That was a joke, right? While his New Deal programs may not have ended the Great Depression, they sure stunted any further damage it could have done beyond that point. Do you honestly think he should not have intervened during the banking crisis? Some may have gone a bit too far (the NRA for example), but they did not last too long.


His actions during the Yalta conference, when he was so sick that he should have resigned or been relieved, garunteed the start of the cold war.

The Cold War would have started anyway. If you look back all the way into the 20's during the Red Scare, it was obviously inevitable.


His only redeeming qualities are that he managed to surround himself with some of the greatest war time leaders this planet has ever known.

Keep in mind, during his presidency he presided over two of the largest national crisis of the 20th century, and dealt with both of them.


Reagan was the greatest president in history. He solved the greatest problem of our time, the communist problem.

Yeah, Reagan was a good guy. :)

[Dryden]

Theodore Roosevelt (http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tr26.html). Prior to TR's presidency, the US was just another country across the pond from the seat of world power, Western Europe. TR inserted the US in the middle of world affairs.

Roosevelt established a modern military decimated following the Civil War to the extent a "modern military" could be built prior to World War I, secured the land to build the Panama Canal to move our ships between coasts and phased out America's old wooden vessels with a true, modern Navy. TR led anti-trust legislation against the steel mills, coal mines and rail roads, and further established the standard for modern child labor laws in America. TR was also a naturalist who set aside more land in the US for national parks and wildlife preserves than every other president in US history combined.

Theodore Roosevelt was a war hero and one of only three presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Without his presidency, the US west of the Mississippi would be wildly different. He was also an explorer, cattle rancher, hunter, and trapper, who mapped countless regions of the Amazon and helped to identify hundreds of species of animals.

Most people forget his is the fourth face on Mt Rushmore, and don't realize how important his role in American and world history really was.

Also, for those who would suggest Clinton, all kidding and Monica jokes aside - Clinton will be historically remembered as a great president, - Bill Clinton made no secret of his admiration of TR, and modeled his presidency after Roosevelt's.

[Ov3rmind]

TR was a great president as well. I'm probably going to start reading his autobiography (I'm counting on it being pretty entertaining, seeing as how TR was such a colorful character).

[-=Squid=-]

clinton.....that guy is awsome...but when i can vote...(only 15) im gonna vote for the first guy to come out and say..."yeah, i was with her last night....we drank a few."This is why I think that you should have to be 30 before you can vote, or pass a certain test :rolleyes:

Pretty much any 18< year old has NO idea who they are voting for... yes, their are many exceptions, but im generalizing here.

[tony3]

When you are 18 you can get drafted into the Army, but you still have no say in who you want your leader to be? Doesn't make much sense to me.

[-=Squid=-]

When you are 18 you can get drafted into the Army, but you still have no say in who you want your leader to be? Doesn't make much sense to me.Did you even read the entirety of my post? My god... at least read what your attacking before you post.

Although this is not something I firmly believe in, rather than just something I give a bit a thought to, do you really think most 18 year olds DESERVE a say in who their leader is? What percentage do you think REALLY knows who they are voting for? Now, before you get all retarded on me like usual, remember I Said most. Mabe you are more intelligent than your average teenager (Unlikely, but I dont know you either.)

Just saying what you said sounds like typical teenage logic to me. I bet you also think that 18 year olds should be able to drink, for the same reason listed.

How would you feel if somebody you DIDNT want elected was elected, solely because of ignorant voters? I bet it would bother you just a tad. (Hell, this happens fairly often im sure)

A good example of why I believe this is because most teenagers who say who they think should be the president, repeats only what their parents say. When I ask them why they think this, they give me one quote that they heard from there parents or the news, even though they know nothing about the person. I need a steamroller.

Want another good example? In our school newspaper, a person with ZERO artistic talent, and obviously intelligence, decides to draw up a "political cartoon." I guess you could call it that? They attempted to make a stab at bush by drawing a crappy depiction of a TV, that has a news broadcaster on it saying "Bush Declares War Again," And underneith it the title is "War Bush = War." Not only does it lack ANY humor, or point, any artistic merit, hell, it doesnt even reflect what is REALLY happening! Its trying to take a stab at bush because of the fact that their parents are democrats, and they want to sound smart.

These are the same reasons that I think that the first ammendment should be restricted in schools. Sure, all of this punishes me as well, but for the vast majority it would/is benefitial. Im sure many adults here will even disagree with me, but really, just think about this... Do you really think that the average teenager cares enough to watch the news, or choose a GOOD VALID reason to vote for a particular candidate, or even has any idea what they are talking about? They think that they know things, but they dont. Good god, only 3 more years and I can make fun of teenagers without appearing to be a hypocrite. :rolleyes:

[FactsOfLife]

Also, for those who would suggest Clinton, all kidding and Monica jokes aside - Clinton will be historically remembered as a great president, - Bill Clinton made no secret of his admiration of TR, and modeled his presidency after Roosevelt's.




Bill Clinton will NOT go down in history as a great president. The man completely squandered the opportunity he had out of pure selfishness.


The guy has been DISBARRED for cripes sake, not to mention the fact that he LIED UNDER OATH, and last but hardly least was IMPEACHED.


Clinton oughta be rotting in jail, not being held up as some great president much less a man.

[-Carnifex-]

[QUOTE=silentdeath55]
Bush(s)[quote]

.... :rolleyes:

[Restola]

Reagan was my favorite President. He simply represents exactly what I view a President should sound/look/and act like. As far as his policies...eh.

As far as "best". Not really sure. I'd have to vote against FDR and Kennedy though.

[Ov3rmind]

Did you even read the entirety of my post? My god... at least read what your attacking before you post.

Although this is not something I firmly believe in, rather than just something I give a bit a thought to, do you really think most 18 year olds DESERVE a say in who their leader is?
Yes, yes I do. There are thousands upon thousands of ignorant adults as well, but they are also allowed to vote. There have always been ignorant people voting, and there always will be. As much as you may dislike that, they have a right to do it.


How would you feel if somebody you DIDNT want elected was elected, solely because of ignorant voters? I bet it would bother you just a tad. (Hell, this happens fairly often im sure)
Happens all the time in this state. It does suck hard, but ignorant people still have the right to vote.


Want another good example? In our school newspaper, a person with ZERO artistic talent, and obviously intelligence, decides to draw up a "political cartoon." I guess you could call it that? They attempted to make a stab at bush by drawing a crappy depiction of a TV, that has a news broadcaster on it saying "Bush Declares War Again," And underneith it the title is "War Bush = War." Not only does it lack ANY humor, or point, any artistic merit, hell, it doesnt even reflect what is REALLY happening! Its trying to take a stab at bush because of the fact that their parents are democrats, and they want to sound smart.
LOL, I'm surprised your school administrators let that one get by. "War Bush = War"... Classic.


These are the same reasons that I think that the first ammendment should be restricted in schools.
The first amendment is already restricted to an extent in public schools.


Sure, all of this punishes me as well, but for the vast majority it would/is benefitial.
What exactly would be the benefits? Kids are stupid, restricting their rights isn't going to change that fact.


Im sure many adults here will even disagree with me, but really, just think about this... Do you really think that the average teenager cares enough to watch the news, or choose a GOOD VALID reason to vote for a particular candidate, or even has any idea what they are talking about?
Most don't, and most don't even vote. There are a great deal that do have valid opinions though (and the right to vote should be available to them).

[-=Squid=-]

Im not sure if your on my side or not :confused: Either way, on the points were you DO disagree, I understand your point.

Obviously, there are MANY adults who are no better at voting than a teenager would be, but I would say that that number is far lesser.

I know the first ammendment IS restricted in schools, I just think it should stay that way, if not get a little bit more restricted.

I just dont think people who dont know whats going on deserve to vote.

[lew]

I think Teddy Roosevelt was the greatest president this country has ever had. Dryden presented all of the material, so I won't go into that. The man earned every bit of respect I have for him. Hats of to TR.

I don't think Lincoln was a great president at all. He did a hell of a lot to trash the Constitution. For example, he suspended the right of habeas corpus for people suspected of aiding the Confederacy.

And as for Clinton, he gets a kick in the nuts if I ever see him. :mad: :D

[-Carnifex-]

I don't think Lincoln was a great president at all. He did a hell of a lot to trash the Constitution. For example, he suspended the right of habeas corpus for people suspected of aiding the Confederacy.



He did that to unsure that the mid states would side with the Union, without them we couldn't have won.

[Sir_Brass]

Still, even though in hindsight that was a good move, you have to admit that that was still a very shady move. In the end it was a good one, but when one makes a decision, one doesn't have the benefit of seeing what the consequences of his actions WILL be. Just something to think on.

Squid, you bring up many valid points, and I applaud you for that. Based on what you've said, it sounds like you're still in High School, but the maturity of your posts reflects the maturity of an intelligent, critically-thinking college student. Keep it up, bro, more teenagers need to be that mature. Heck, I know some of my fellow college students who would benefit from such maturity.

[-=Squid=-]

Still, even though in hindsight that was a good move, you have to admit that that was still a very shady move. In the end it was a good one, but when one makes a decision, one doesn't have the benefit of seeing what the consequences of his actions WILL be. Just something to think on.

Squid, you bring up many valid points, and I applaud you for that. Based on what you've said, it sounds like you're still in High School, but the maturity of your posts reflects the maturity of an intelligent, critically-thinking college student. Keep it up, bro, more teenagers need to be that mature. Heck, I know some of my fellow college students who would benefit from such maturity.Wow, thanks.

Yes, sadly I am still in high school.

[Ov3rmind]

Im not sure if your on my side or not :confused: Either way, on the points were you DO disagree, I understand your point.
I didn't really try to take a side, I was just giving my opinions on the issue.


Obviously, there are MANY adults who are no better at voting than a teenager would be, but I would say that that number is far lesser.
There are also far more adults than teenagers.


I know the first ammendment IS restricted in schools, I just think it should stay that way, if not get a little bit more restricted.
As far as restrictions go, I'm pretty fine with how they are right now.


I just dont think people who dont know whats going on deserve to vote.
I think a lot of people feel the same way, and that makes perfect sense. No one wants an idiot voting on things that affect your life. The thing is, where do you draw the line in ignorance? Even the most political savy people on these boards could be viewed as ignorant by some. Everyone has their own standards, and I don't think it would be feasible for a line to be drawn.

[rehme]

any of the first couple president because we still had all our liberties

[Restola]

I didn't really try to take a side, I was just giving my opinions on the issue.
Can we

There are also far more adults than teenagers.
type an

As far as restrictions go, I'm pretty fine with how they are right now.
intelligent thought

I think a lot of people feel the same way, and that makes perfect sense. No one wants an idiot voting on things that affect your life.
without cutting apart

The thing is, where do you draw the line in ignorance? Even the most political savy people on these boards could be viewed as ignorant by some. Everyone has their own standards, and I don't think it would be feasible for a line to be drawn.
the other person's post?

[Ov3rmind]

Can we

type an

intelligent thought

without cutting apart

the other person's post?
I intend to make full use of these new simplified quote tags. :D

[Restola]

I intend to make full use of these new simplified quote tags. :D
Well I hope you have fun :)

[logamus]

best president ever, i would have to vote for my man ronnie. the youth today, dont really know what it was like to live under the specter of nuclear war and that is because of ronnie. he also gave us "you can run, but you cant hide" which terrorists even today are finding out.

i think kennedy, while being a liberal democrat, presided over some pretty rough times in our history. he did get us involved in vietnam but his service to the us and to the world during the cuban missle crisis alone gives him high marks. he also found a way to inspire the country be it with his 'ask not' speech or the 'go to the moon' speech. he was also a war hero.

lincoln also gets a vote. he had an extremely difficult task in preserving the union and he took the steps he thought he needed to in order to make that happen. in his case, the means did justify the ends.

and lastly, no "best president" list could be complete without the father of our country, george washington. it was he who declined being made a king and put us on the path of democracy. while he is often better known as a great general during a very troubled time the original gw will always be a model for presidents to follow.

[SpecialBlend2786]

Eisenhower

Presided over the prosperoty of the 1950's. BOTH Democrats and Republicans had courted him as a presidential candidate in 1948. He went Republican, and crushed Democrat Adlai Stevenson in the election.

In a 1959 poll, liberals considred him a fellow liberal, while conservatives thought him a conservative.

In the 1950's the economy of america grew by a solid 3.2% per year. The US accounted for approximately 35% of global production in the the mid 1950's.

The eisenhower administration revolutionalized American transportation, and let Americans enjoy their new V8's with the Federal Highway Act of 1956. INterstates accelerated suburbanization.

Urban renewal helped revitalize older cities in the norhteast and midwest.

Family life in the Eisenhower years departed from historic patterns. Prosperity allowed children to finish school, and allowed people to marry right after highschool.

87% of households had TV's :D

ok i'm done lol.