Happy President’s Day!
To those who simple look at this day as one everyone used to get off school and work , this is a day set aside to honor the first President elected under the current U.S. Constitution, George Washington. Called the father of our country, President Washington set the standard for our Presidents. He “retired” after two terms at a time when his popularity (twice elected unanimously, the only time that has happened) was enormous. Washington, could have been elected to a third, or forth term if he had wanted (although he died a couple of years after the end of his second term). He felt that more than the two terms would have resembled a monarchy and our Republic would benefit most from the election of a variety of men to his post. This precedent was maintained until FDR (the father of modern Liberalism and Commander in Chief of the victorious WWII American Army) hung on for four terms.
Today a constitutional amendment protects our country from tyrannical reign of multi-term presidents. Can you imagine one or two more terms of Clinton? We could probably benefit from the steadfast leadership of a third term of President Bush (in fighting the Global War on Terrorism). With that not a possibility, it for us the patriots, the Americans to work hard to elect a strong leader that will carry on in the vein of Mr. Bush.
Today also honors Abraham Lincoln, a man who executed the office of President during the most difficult time in our nation’s history. The Civil War defined our country. It mended the cracks in our Republic and set us on the path to true nationalism and freedom for all mankind. Lincoln was the subject of hate and criticism during his 5 years of office. He debated the wisdom of a second term of his leadership before the 1864 elections. Despite this doubt, he stayed in the race and won reelection over the woeful George McClellan. His leadership was a key component of the North’s victory, one that cemented our union.
So on this day, at a time when other observances get more attention, I say remember our founding fathers…. For without them, many of our other observances wouldn’t even exist!
