Grant's contributions are both grossly underrated and misunderstood. True, corruption was rampant during his administration but the problem wasn't so much that he tolerated it, as he was too trusting of those around him and chose to not publicly discredit members of his administration found guilty of corruption. That does not mean that he was tolerant of their behavior. Grant was a man who was both honorable and genuinely concerned for the liberties of all Americans. He spearheaded some of the most tolerant policies towards Native Americans and fought for the rights of Freedmen. He sought reconciliation between the North and South and faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles with limited resources and Congressional support.

We're talking about the man that won the Civil War. When the war ended, and Lincoln was assassinated, it was Grant who stood for reasonable conditions for readmission to the Union and stood against Johnson's radically racist and vengeful policies. He protected the rights of former Confederate soldiers and officials on the principle that it was better to put the war behind the country rather than dwell on it.

During the reconstruction Grant began the process of trying to repair the damage done by Johnson's reconstruction plans and fought to maintain Freedman's rights. Although he opposed the governments set up by Southern states he chose not to interfere with the actual governing of the states except to protect the rights of all Americans.

True, his administration was plagued by corruption and that fact has tarnished his reputation in the eyes of a modern public that is exposed to little or no history. He was and continues to be crucified by a public that seeks to blame the President for any economic or social crisis. But his accomplishments should be remembered as well as his failings. To suggest that he should be replaced by a man who has been President for less than a month is utterly ridiculous.

First of all, we've never put anyone's face on our currency during his lifetime, and Mr. Obama is alive.

Second, as much hope as we have invested in Barack Obama, he hasn't had a chance to demonstrate his character to nearly the extent of the people on our other bills or coins; he may well end up meriting this kind of commemoration someday, but that's someday.

Third, Ulysses Grant earned his place in history not merely via his unfortunate presidency - he was not corrupt himself, but he was a poor judge of character and relied on unreliable people - but also on his role in saving the country by leading the Army in the Civil War, and also based on his personal qualities - he was honest himself, and he was solid under stress, generous, humble, and very articulate and intelligent.

If President Obama lives up to his promise and potential, history may rank him as one of our greatest presidents. If that is the case, as I hope it will be, we may find ourselves commemorating his contributions on our currency, postage stamps, a monument, or in other ways. Let's give him a chance, wait and see, and not try to make a decision like this less than a week into his presidency.

Im not saying grant should be taken off the 50 dollar bill, but if they replace him it should be Ronald Reagan.

I think Ronald Reagan might be have been one of the best presidents we ever had. If that can't get you on the 50 dollar bill, I don't know what will.

He would never in a million years shut down a prison for terrorists to treat them like Americans.

Maybe Grant

Maybe Lee

To hell with them

It should be me ;)

Wasn't there like a law that said you had to be dead to be on money?

Ulysses S. Grant has done much more from a historical standpoint than Barack Obama.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barack Obama is pictured on some form of currency in the future, though.

Grant was an American Hero who defeated the enemy through successful war strategy. Not a GREAT president (following Lincoln sort of), but he was a great General.

Obama so far is gonna close down Gitmo and other prisons for terrorists. apparently, we need to treat them like Americans...

First off, we have no idea wheather or not Obama will live out his promises. How are we going to honor him if he fails as a president? If he ends up going back on everything he said like he has so far when it comes to same sex marraiges and ending the don't ask don't tell policy in the army?

Don't you guys want to see if releasing the terrorists in Guantanomo Bay onto American soil will cause another 9/11 before we honor our new president by allowing this actions and placing him on a 50 dollar bill?

this conversation seems a bit pre-mature...

I still can't believe this argument was even brought up. It's just one more reason to not like Obama. And I've tried. But his supporters treat him like the second coming. And if they're atheists, they treat him like he is God and that they have finally found God. He hasn't even been president for a month yet!

Ulysses Grant, now. As president, Obama hasn't done much yet, certainly not enough to earn a spot on the fifty dollar bill. Though that's not to say he won't in the future.

It is way to soon. After all he has yet to do anything on a very grand scale. Wait till his first term is done with, maybe then we can shed some light on whether or not he deserves to be on money.

I think it would look better with a nice big picture of Arnold...His bicep could be the '0' in the '50'?

Barack Obama deserves to be on the front of the 1,000,000 dollar bill!

I think it should stay the same because its become a norm to see Mr.Grants face on the 50