For some reason, I've always had a thing for Presidents. Not from a political standpoint, but from a historical one. When I was in Kindergarten, I was picked to write to President Carter. I can't recall the reason that I was picked over the other kids (other than I must've been very cute), but I was.
I remember when the day came that I received the thick manila envelope addressed from the White House. I poured over the brochures and booklets and cherished the letter that President Carter had written specifically to me! Looking back on that moment in my life, I now realize it was a typed letter that some White House staffer composed with the President's signature at the bottom. I vividly remember the picture of Jimmy Carter posed with his wife and daughter, Amy. I was so envious that she got to live in the White House!
Regarding another President, I recently read an interesting article about President Gerald Ford who recently passed away. It talked about how he came into office under very difficult times. The country was in a state of unrest over the Watergate scandal (Ford was the Vice President before Nixon resigned) and the subsequent outrage over his pardon of the highly unpopular Nixon.
President Ford later said he felt he needed to give the pardon so the country could heal and move on. The article also went on to say how when it came time for re-election (and his opponent was Jimmy Carter) he refused to use his religious beliefs as an advantage to get re-elected. Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford were both Christians, although Carter was outspoken about it while Ford was not. Even Ford's spiritual adviser, a man he called his "alter ego", told him that he should let the masses know that he was a Christian. He refused saying he didn't want to take advantage of his faith to get re-elected. Roughly eighty million votes were cast and he lost by approximately two million votes - one of the closest elections in U.S. history.
His son later said to him, "You know, when you come so close, it's really hard to lose. But at the same time, if you can't lose as graciously as you plan to win, then you shouldn't have been in the thing in the first place."
I think it's ironic how politics and religion, two things that can be volatile when mixed, come into play during election years. I admire Ford for keeping God and his faith in his heart.
One other interesting piece of trivia relating to him - he was the only Vice President and President to never have been elected!! When Richard Nixon was President, his Vice President was Spiro Agnew. Unfortunately, Spiro Agnew was charged with tax evasion and Nixon filled his seat with Gerald Ford. When Richard Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, Ford moved to the President's seat!!
10 comments:
Wow! Are you trying to compete with Nancy for 1st prize for educational blog? Just kidding :) I never knew any of that - very interesting stuff!! It is amazing though how some people vote strictly on their religious beliefs - they can disregard everything else that the candidate may stand for, but if they follow the same religion that's the one to pick.
I think you're off Kristy - take Bush and Kerry for example - both claim to be Christians, both used quotes from the bible during their campaigns, Kerry even visited churches during his campaign (something only Democrats can get away with, for some weird reason).
However, the "Christian vote" went to Bush because of the issues on the platform.
My favorite talk show host Michael Medved said it best, people migrate to the republican party for three major reasons: Faith, Family, Finances. I agree with that, for me anyway.
The funny thing is having this conversation on Wendy's blog site. Wendy, if I recall correctly, doesn't think that politics or religion should be discussed because they are very personal topics.
Great post Wendy. I always knew you had a thing for Presidents, that's why you married my brother, he is the President of the Snow Watchers of America Club.
...Oh, and I know you envied Carter's daughter, but you're way cuter.
Just to clarify my comment, I wasn't referring to "everyone" just some people I have spoken to. I don't really follow politics too much and to be perfectly honest I am a democrat and can't tell you much why I am except that I am for helping people in need which is a democratic view. There are a lot of people out there that go to the polls and have no idea what they are voting for (including myself!).
This post wasn't intended to be taken from a political or religious viewpoint. Rather it was my opinion on what I viewed as an admirable character trait in Ford.
It's not that I think religion and politics are personal subjects, it's just that they are personal subjects. However, I am not saying they can't be discussed. Erin writes religious blogs every now and then, and while I either disagree with the content or do not share those beliefs I don't usually engage on those topics since it is her personal right to those views. As I saw on a church sign once, "We can walk arm and arm and still not see eye to eye."
I agree with Kristy on her view that many people get to the polls and either do not know who they are voting for or why they are voting for that particular candidate (what their platform(s) are). It's unfortunately a sad fact.
I would not label myself either a Democrat or a Republican b/c I can find fault with both sides. I guess I vote on who has the stronger platform to which I agree with.
I'm grateful to live in a country where we can freely choose and express our religious beliefs.
And yes, Amy carter was a tad...homely.
Wend - your so Switzerland.
Totally agree that your blog was non-partisan and non-religious, but funny that those two topics were interwoven (but not from a personal perspective way).
Jones - If working around all those packers for all those years hasn't disillusioned you about the "helping people" platform, I don't know what will. You can thank the democratic party for such "help" as "the projects" and "welfare" - great ideas!
I'm so opinionated, some things will never change! :-) I can't keep it in. Wend - you are like Ford - keeping your private beliefs to yourself - nice.
Yes, well, worshiping unicorns makes a lot of people uncomfortable so I choose to keep it quiet.
Being a "social service" major and getting my fulfillment from working in social services (ie, my year's internship at Rehab After Work), it is hard for me to disagree with "helping people", but to your point we all do have our own opinions. I'm glad that we can all agree to disagree and still get along!
I love you Jones, but really it ticks me off that I had to finance your internship.
That money didn't get plucked off the money tree and the unicorn didn't deliver it - it comes from our tax dollars.
I think the people who actually use all these social services should get taxed at a higher rate.
The Great Uni, as we Unicornicopians call her, is rich in knowledge and power.
I suggest you come to one of our meetings (held at the Wentworth spa once a month) to learn more about it.
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