Staff Reports
Presidents’ Day seems more like a convenient holiday for federal employees to take a long weekend rather than an actual celebration of presidential achievements. The tradition of recognizing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln has been diluted into a generic excuse to throw sales and price cuts on everything from cars to mattresses. Yet, one can’t deny that Washington laid the groundwork for a republic, while Lincoln kept it from tearing apart. Both men deserve individual recognition rather than being lumped together in a day that sounds more like a discount sale at a big-box store.
Washington, the first president and a genuine war hero, is perhaps the only one on the list to garner unanimous acclaim. His ability to resist the urge for more power after leading a revolutionary war might just make him the most admirable figure in American history. The man isn’t just worth remembering; he’s worth a shrine. Adams follows suit, managing to steer the nation clear of European quagmires, with only a side trip into an undeclared naval conflict with France that still keeps historians awake at night. The Alien and Sedition Acts? A minor blemish on an otherwise solid record.
Rating the Presidents on Presidents' Day https://t.co/oYZ8P6pIBy
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Jefferson is commended for an array of accomplishments, starting with the Louisiana Purchase—essentially giving America room to stretch its legs. He wasn’t just philosophically inclined; he showed that America could expand and build both land and industry. Madison, the primary author of the Constitution, dealt a significant blow to the British in the War of 1812, proving that sometimes a stalemate is just what the doctor ordered during a serious family squabble.
Monroe stands out for his foreign policy savvy with the Monroe Doctrine, even if he did wax a little sentimental with the Missouri Compromise. His ability to charm Florida into joining the mix might even rival the legendary ‘Florida Man’ headlines. Then there’s John Quincy Adams, who kicked off the trend of political dynasties. While his lofty ambitions collided with Congress, he later spent his days in the House chipping away at Andrew Jackson’s legacy, which was about as useful as putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.
Like a game of musical presidents, Jackson’s election led to significant changes in the banking system, although he often walked the line of authoritarianism. Van Buren, meanwhile, is mostly remembered for his efforts to establish the Democratic Party, an endeavor that could warrant an award for good intentions gone awry. The big drama of this era came from James Buchanan, who took “fiddling” to a new level while the country spiraled into Civil War.
Yes, a few modern presidents like Reagan and Trump are worthy of accolades, though they also walk a tightrope over historical scrutiny. Reagan, the one who turned the Cold War tides, and Trump’s policies that pushed against the proverbial Washington establishment could very well land them in the “worth remembering” section of the history books.
Considering the mash-up of presidents over the years, it’s refreshing to witness mainly underwhelming figures guiding the nation. As the presidential scene fluctuated over the last century, political amateurs always seemed to fill the highest office. So perhaps the next time someone cringes at Presidents’ Day, they should take a moment to appreciate that, for all the flops, America emerged relatively unscathed with only a handful of truly disastrous leaders among a sea of “Meh.” Who knew that mediocrity could be something worth celebrating?
