When I was growing up our nation celebrated two holidays in February. Today, February 12^th we honored one of our nation’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. On February 22^nd, it was George Washington’s turn to be recognized as the first president of the United States of America. They were both deserving of receiving the adulation of the American people, and those celebrations gave us a reason to celebrate the greatness of our country’s past. No one under 40 years of age is expected to remember this fact.

In 1971, Congress made another of its many mistakes. It made the decision to honor all of our nation’s presidents by establishing “President’s Day.” Big mistake.

Does anyone believe that all of our presidents are worth remembering in a positive manner? For example, Warren G. Harding virtually handed over the country to his cronies in Washington. Before a full investigation could be conducted, Harding died in San Francisco after suffering a heart attack.

Andrew Johnson became president after the death of Abraham Lincoln, and immediately began an attempt to destroy all of Lincoln’s accomplishments, including the rights of former slaves. He was eventually impeached in 1868.

Who will ever forget the infamous line; “I am not a crook?” Richard Nixon ordered the burglary of information which belonged to the Democratic Party, and was forced to resign from Office. His vice-president, Gerald Ford, must be included in this condemnation for granting a pardon to the disgraced president. Nixon was indeed a paranoid crook.

Why would anyone believe that George W. Bush should receive our nation’s thanks this coming Monday? His administration invaded two nations, one under false pretenses. Nothing was accomplished from the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and Afghanistan has become America’s longest war; it will end without victory. Thousands of American lives were lost, and tens of thousands innocent Iraqis were killed for no reason. In addition, the cost of two wars bankrupted the United States. Destabilization in the area created ISIS and made the world less safe for everyone. His deregulation of Wall Street cost millions of Americans their homes and raised the unemployment rate. But he was not in this alone; puppet master and vice-president Dick Cheney must receive equal blame.

There are several others who shamed the presidency, but the former are examples of why I believe we should not have a “President’s Day.” Far too many of our nation’s leaders do not deserve the respect of the American people.

Can you imagine a ‘President Trump,’ or a ‘President Cruz,’ and then allow them to receive the nation’s praise after they were responsible for additional damage to our nation’s people? I think not.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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