Who was the best U.S. president of the 20th century?
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Why JFK? What I've read about the Civil Rights Amendments was that any president would be forced to do the same, regardless of his opinions, because of the overwhelming force behind the movement. Then again, I wasn't alive back then. Is this an oversimplification? Did Kennedy have more to do with it than he was given credit for? Side: JFK
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Ah, HG...the difference is they marched, they changed laws, they supported and made no bones about it. No other president had done so before that time. Same with the Mafia! Bobby Kennedy went after them like a lion with wings...It's probably why they lost their lives so young. Side: JFK
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Can you tell me about that Slash? How, exactly did he neglect the troops in Somalia and how did he kill thousands of Serbians. What is it that he did to accomplish this? As to his impeachment, that had more to do with the Lewinsky case than anything. THAT, doesn't make him a bad president and he's not alone in his dalliances with other women. Side: JFK
This is copied and pasted from an earlier debate. Ronald Reagan: He supported anti communist movements worldwide. He defeated the soviet union. He envisioned a smaller Government, and a greater America. To avoid long encounters with the press, he took reporters' questions with his helicopter roaring in the background. The Reagan Revolution - helped reduced Americans dependence on government. Side: Ronald Reagan
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>>>He supported anti communist movements worldwide. Shame on all those other presidents that supported communism. >>>He defeated the soviet union. They still there? >>>He envisioned a smaller Government, and a greater America. How? By increasing the deficit? >>>To avoid long encounters with the press, he took reporters' questions with his helicopter roaring in the background. Keeping Americans ignorant...there's a legacy for you. Side: JFK
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Ronald Reagan by far. He strengthened our foreign policy through showing force and glorifying the base of the country, the American people. He strengthened the military, too. He also led us through a recession by the best way to do so - CUT TAXES AND CUT SPENDING! He realized that, although effective at the time, FDR's tactics of moving through economic uncertainty would hurt the US in the future, so he came up with his own, much more effective and long-lasting solution. Side: Ronald Reagan
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How the hell can you say that Reagan cut spending?? He is the reason that Republican Presidents since him have been NOTORIOUS deficit spenders. Does defense spending just not count to you people? Funny how everyone forgets the reagan tax hikes from '83 on. Selective memories much? GDP, jobs, and revenues were all positive when Carter left office. All plunged after Reagan policies took effect. You don't fix a recession(that you created) by cutting spending, the opposite actually. Side: JFK
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It is the opposite, but not necessarily better than what is happening right now. Reagan left office with a budget deficit of 3 trillion dollars (unadjusted) - he tripled the budget deficit with his tax cuts and "cut" spending. Most of his spending cuts were geared towards dissolving social welfare and other entitlement programs, but he increased spending elsewhere Reagan's methods created an ideological shift in economic politics and practice, that has directly resulted in over a decade of deficit spending, which has helped lead America to where it is today. It's always the third generation that feels it. Side: Ronald Reagan
>>>He strengthened the military, too.>>FDR's tactics of moving through economic uncertainty would hurt the US in the future, so he came up with his own, much more effective and long-lasting solution.<<< I would love to know your definition of "long lasting". It wasn't too much after he left office that the economy started tanking. Which is one reason Bush didn't get re-elected. The corporate bloat, that Reagan encouraged, is one of the factors for our current economic demise. The fallacy of the "trickle down" theory is that very little gets trickled down. Companies aren't altruistic, nor should they be. But the basic tenant that with profits companies would reinvest into America is at best a 50/50 proposition. Sure some did but the majority took care of themselves; i.e. fat bonuses, perks and expenditures on luxuries. This is the Reagan economic legacy. Side: JFK
that's a toughy. I think Reagan, although a great leader, was overrated and just really lucky. He did keep us from going to shit, but as for a booming economy and the release of those hostages, that was pure luck. What i admire about the man was his courage as a leader. He kept America in hope and brought them together against many of the evils they were facing. In all honesty, that is the only way you can stop the problems at home. So, he does deserve credit as a great leader. FDR deserves the same. But, like Reagan, he was extremely lucky. The difference for him though was the Pearl Harbor was his bail out. Without it, the New Deal would have flopped and he would have just been known as a failed president. But he kept America going and gave them hope. The New Deal is an abomination in many ways, and has only crushed the ideal of individualism, but hey... shit happens. Side: Ronald Reagan
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Ahhhhh, but don't negate Carter...He's the one who was standing between Arafat and Begin when they shook hands for the first time in history. Reagan, nor any other President would have accomplished this tremendous event. Even Jimmy Carter, with all his low ratings accomplished one great thing. He was a great humanitarian but not a great President in many ways. Side: JFK
>>>Think about it, if you are a terrorist, who frightens you more Reagan or Carter?<<< Definitely Carter. Carter sent a mission to rescue the hostages...it failed but Carter wasn't riding the helicopter. Reagan made a call and asked if the terrorist needed guns. They tell him, "but you can't send me guns." "It's against the law???" He say, "Well...not a problem." Side: JFK
JFK 1. He averted nuclear war; backed the Russians down and created a safer America. 2. He put Americans on the moon. 3. He helped with the momentum of racial equality. Riding a delicate balance of advancement and status quo. 4. His administration brought to bear very creative measures; still used today, in fighting organized crime. 5. He helped streamline government; by bringing accountability and business practices into it. 6. He delayed Nixons occupation of the White House. 7. He made the decision to escalate Vietnam His tenure was filled with opportunities and he stepped up to the plate knocking at least two home runs. But even Vietnam should be taken into the context of the times. Reagan...puh-lease. His economic legacy is a part of our current economic collapse. He left the military fat and arrogant and; during his administration, they got their asses handed to them in the middle east. What an embarrassment. Do we also forget that he negotiated with terrorist to provide them guns. Hello...anyone??? He actually wanted to put weapons in the hands of terrorists. I will give you he did hasten the collapse of the iron curtain but that could be just as much JFK too. Side: JFK
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>>> One exception to the JFK legacy rocknwow...he escalated advisors. Lyndon Johnson escalated the war itself. Advisors had been there since Eisenhower.<<< Definitely true but JFK escalated the American commitment to the war. I also thought he increased funding. Couldn't find a quick reference to that effect but I did find this. "The only thing certain about Kennedy's role in Vietnam before he died was that he had escalated America's military, political, and maybe psychological commitment to Vietnam." Side: JFK
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One JFK was dead for over five years when man walked on the moon. That was done under Nixon. In the Middle East terrorists blew up a Marine Corps barracks killing over 200 Americans. In Vietnam over 58,000 Americans were killed as a result of what JFK got us into. He also had an affair in office and was treated for gonorrhea as a result o his numerous affairs. Side: Ronald Reagan
Tugman... >>>One JFK was dead for over five years when man walked on the moon.>>> Fail to see your point. He got the funding, made the call, set up a realistic deadline and the task got accomplished. >>He also had an affair in office and was treated for gonorrhea as a result o his numerous affairs.<<< Again fail to see your point. Sounds to me like he knew how to get the job done and have a good time. Maybe a bad man but very good president. Side: JFK
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Woodrow Wilson is definitely not the best President in the 20 century. His proposal of the League of Nations was pointless because Congress would not approve. We did not have to enter WWI and his decision to go to war would cost over 100,000 American lives in European war. He also was a racist. Side: Ronald Reagan
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