Will Current Presidents Have Lasting Legacies?

[justhopingandsearching]

I honestly don't think most of our current presidents (current being 1980s to today) will leave any true mark upon history other than being listed as X-numbered president. What I mean by this is when I studied US History in school (elementary, middle, and high school) certain presidents stood out, while others didn't. For example, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, the Roosevelts in particular FDR, etc. The rest of them in general though, eh ...

The only president I can seeing leaving a potential "legacy" is Obama, and that's simply due to the ideal he represents. The idea that anyone can truly become president now, whereas in the past it was said it could be anyone, but it was implicitly understood that the job applied to only white males in particular WASPs.

What do you think? Do you think any of our presidents or even politicians will leave a lasting impression upon history?

[scorpio1980]

If Ron Paul becomes our next president I believe he will be remembered as the President who brought us back to our founding principles.

-End the fed
-Close military basis around the world
-Use the troops on our borders
-Close down government agencies that are worthless
-balance our budget
-Allow young people to "opt" out of the social system
-legalize marijuana and pardon prisoners for simple drug crimes
-legalize the use of raw milk, etc.

[James Fletcher]

I'm not American, but judging by history, the greatest US president of the past thirty years was Ronald Reagan. He believed that his people deserve prosperity and freedom, but not through handouts and bloated government departments, through cutting taxes and regulations.

Reagan will be remembered for very good reasons.

Obama, on the other hand, will join the one term wonder wall.

[moonrambler]

I think George W. Bush will be remembered somewhat like Herbert Hoover is remembered, and the way it looks so far, Obama will be remembered as the president who couldn't solve the situation.

Obama, of course, will be significantly remembered as the first U.S. black president.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by James Fletcher

I'm not American, but judging by history, the greatest US president of the past thirty years was Ronald Reagan. He believed that his people deserve prosperity and freedom, but not through handouts and bloated government departments, through cutting taxes and regulations.

Reagan will be remembered for very good reasons.

Obama, on the other hand, will join the one term wonder wall.

Ronald Regan may have been the best president in the last 30 years, but did he have a significant event to propel him into history books?

Personally, off the top of my head I honestly can't think of any.

And like I said before Obama won't be remembered for what he did, but rather what he represents.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

I think George W. Bush will be remembered somewhat like Herbert Hoover is remembered, and the way it looks so far, Obama will be remembered as the president who couldn't solve the situation.

Obama, of course, will be significantly remembered as the first U.S. black president.

When it comes to George W. Bush and Herbert Hoover I understand what you mean, but in the grand schemes of things will the Great Depression continue to be remembered for future generations?

I can't speak for others, but for some people Obama means to alot to them. My grandparents, who are in their 70s never thought something like this could happen in their lifetime. For the older generations (I'm thinking 70s and older) it's inconceivable what has happened. These are the people who lived through and remember quite vividly segregation, lynchings, being treated as second class citizens, and sometimes being treated as barely human in some areas.

Personally, I'm not all that impressed with Obama, but the man has already become a legend in some circles, which is why I think he just might make it. But then again, in 100+ years from now, will that even matter ... hmm ....

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

When it comes to George W. Bush and Herbert Hoover I understand what you mean, but in the grand schemes of things will the Great Depression continue to be remembered for future generations?

I see what you mean. I think the Great Depression will always be remembered and taught to students, because it was so massive and significant. And at this point, the littlest kids can hear from their grandparents about how their own parents grew up during that time period, and some of them have great grandparents who were directly affected. So it's still in current memory.

However, I just realized I probably couldn't name any of the presidents who were presiding over other serious recessions before my lifetime.

[Andrew Gubb]

For me all the recent presidents have been instantly forgettible. Except, as the OP said, Obama, but only for the symbolism of having a black president, and not because of any of his actual merits apart from that.

It was before I was really aware of these things, but from what I've learned since then I do like the look of Bill Clinton. He was mentioned in Conversations With God when he was in power. The channelled "God" said that Bill would be removed somehow from his position because he was making too much of a difference and making enemies because of it. And so it was.

[ZephyrusX]

... Will any Canadian Prime Ministers have lasting legacies?

[Brutha]

Ronald Regan may have been the best president in the last 30 years, but did he have a significant event to propel him into history books?

With his presidency the poorest stopped gaining wealth but the richest continued to get wealths.
Reagan created important structural changes in US politics.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

... Will any Canadian Prime Ministers have lasting legacies?

I'm ill-advised to say. Truthfully, I don't think I was taught (in school that is) anything about Canadian history, which is quite sad since y'all are our next door neighbors, but then again we also weren't taught anything about Mexican history, so ...

So ZephyrusX, are Canadian Prime Ministers like US presidents in that the vast majority of them will only go down in history as s/he served from X-years to Y-years?


Random note: You guys have actually had a female prime minister that's really cool!

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by Brutha

With his presidency the poorest stopped gaining wealth but the richest continued to get wealths.

Even if that is so, he most certainly was not the first to do this, and definitely won't be the last to. So, in the grand scheme of things I don't think this will make any difference, and quite frankly will be "forgotten" by the vast majority.

Originally Posted by Brutha

Reagan created important structural changes in US politics.

This, on the other hand, is cause for a president to be remembered. Problem is I don't think (at least right now) they talk or discuss this in history classes.

For example, Andrew Jackson also did a whole lot to change the structure of US politics, but how many people know or remember it?

[garentee]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

Even if that is so, he most certainly was not the first to do this, and definitely won't be the last to. So, in the grand scheme of things I don't think this will make any difference, and quite frankly will be "forgotten" by the vast majority.

Maybe maybe not.. but it could be argued that it signaled the begining of the end of America.. we do not know yet, but if we continue on the road we are on I would bet money on it. Income inequality is an extreme problem right now.. and it has been that way since his administration came into office.

Map: U.S. Ranks Near Bottom on Income Inequality - Max Fisher - International - The Atlantic

[ZephyrusX]

More or less. The only Prime Minister that has a huge reputation in Canada would be Pierre Elliot Trudeau for shrugging of the Queen and entrenching our charter of rights and freedoms into the constitution. There are a few other names with historical significance, like Sir John A Macdonald and Wilfred Laurier, but besides that, Canadian politics doesn't get much attention around here. We're more interested in America. I'm convinced that there is some law out there that says so-and-so percent of Canadian classroom material has to be about Canada

Kim Campbell only became our PM after Brian Mulroney resigned from the PC party, so I wouldn't say that we actually elected a female prime minister. Many people think that she was allowed to win the leadership of the PC party as the party more or less knew that they were going to fail miserably at the next federal election, and indeed, they did! No one else really wanted the position at the time.

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

So ZephyrusX, are Canadian Prime Ministers like US presidents in that the vast majority of them will only go down in history as s/he served from X-years to Y-years?


Random note: You guys have actually had a female prime minister that's really cool!

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

The only president I can seeing leaving a potential "legacy" is Obama, and that's simply due to the ideal he represents. The idea that anyone can truly become president now, whereas in the past it was said it could be anyone, but it was implicitly understood that the job applied to only white males in particular WASPs.

What do you think? Do you think any of our presidents or even politicians will leave a lasting impression upon history?

Yes, I think so.

George W. Bush's legacy will be a history lesson that going to war is very costly and should be thought twice about. Perhaps if the USA is attacked again by terrorists, we'll decide not to invade another country over it.

Obama's legacy will probably be the ideal you mentioned. He will, of course, be remembered as the first black President of the United States for the rest of history.

If Obamacare stays in place and isn't repealed or ruled unconstitutional, then he will probably also be remembered for pushing the USA slightly in the direction of socialized health care; at least more so than other Presidents.

[James Fletcher]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

Ronald Regan may have been the best president in the last 30 years, but did he have a significant event to propel him into history books?

Personally, off the top of my head I honestly can't think of any.

How about ending the Cold War?

[James Fletcher]

Whatever the problem, penalizing the wealthy and expanding government is never the solution. Causing welfare dependency is not compassion, it is a horrible blight to inflict upon the lower class and the disadvantaged.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

Canadian politics doesn't get much attention around here. We're more interested in America. I'm convinced that there is some law out there that says so-and-so percent of Canadian classroom material has to be about Canada

That's so sad, why don't y'all just give up and become our ridiculous large 51st state.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

Ronald Regan may have been the best president in the last 30 years, but did he have a significant event to propel him into history books?

Not sure about history books, but if people watch old movies in the future, they'll see him mentioned in "Back to the Future" when Doc incredulously dismisses Marty's announcement of who's the president in 1985

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Yes, I think so.

George W. Bush's legacy will be a history lesson that going to war is very costly and should be thought twice about. Perhaps if the USA is attacked again by terrorists, we'll decide not to invade another country over it.

Unfortunately, I think the US likes war too much for that to ever happen.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by James Fletcher

How about ending the Cold War?

The what?? Seriously though, the Cold War barely got a passing nod when I was in school, so I don't have high hopes for it being remembered.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Not sure about history books, but if people watch old movies in the future, they'll see him mentioned in "Back to the Future" when Doc incredulously dismisses Marty's announcement of who's the president in 1985

I'm gonna have to watch that movie again just for that.

[Brutha]

This, on the other hand, is cause for a president to be remembered. Problem is I don't think (at least right now) they talk or discuss this in history classes.

The history of today isn't written right now.

Even if that is so, he most certainly was not the first to do this,

Don't underestimate the difference between the 60s and the 80s.
Things changed when it comes to distributing the newly produced wealth.

and definitely won't be the last to.

I don't think you understand what I was saying. He started it. Afterwards it was continued.
If the trend wouldn't have continued it wouldn't matter that much.

If Obamacare stays in place and isn't repealed or ruled unconstitutional, then he will probably also be remembered for pushing the USA slightly in the direction of socialized health care; at least more so than other Presidents.

More so than the presidents that created Medicare and Medicaid? Are you serious?