He is consistently ranked in the top three, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Why or why not would you agree with the rankings. Mature and respectful answers please. I will post my thoughts later. Thank you!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_United_States_Presidents
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/presrankings1.html
2007-09-28 07:37:15 · 17 answers · asked by Lisa M 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I think you would see arguments on both sides for GW and AL, as well. There is perhaps more support for FDR as the greatest, since Hitler cannot be defended and FDR brought him down.
But criticism of FDR is valid, as well. He brought us welfare and we are now over-burdened by an entitlement mentality borne on the shoulders of fewer tax-payers than ever.
2007-09-28 07:42:21 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We were coming out of the great depression, and he threw the socialist bone at the people who were very willing to gnaw on anything. Times were very bad. He instituted social programs that we are still strapped with today where reform is much needed. We need at least partial privitization now for social security to start out with, and then bve totally private for the coming generations, as social security will not stand on it 's legs for long. People became far too dependent on the government.
He was not great by any stretch of the imagination. I agree with "showtunes" on that. I remember my mother and dad complaining about his "socialism."
We did learn many things and advance from world war two. But I would say the great man during that time was General MacArthur.
2007-09-28 15:03:46 · answer #2 · answered by Moody Red 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither Lincoln nor FDR belongs in the top 3.
I'll limit myself to FDR, but please look up some of Lincoln's gross abuses of power as well.
FDR:
When his party controlled all but the Judicial branch of gov't he tried to add 2 more justices so that he could stack the court and fully control all branches. His own people put a stop to this.
Most of his social programs were wonderful during the depression, especially since the American people wouldnt let him go to war. However, they should never have been allowed to continue for an indefinite amount of time. Most required more money than the benefit they provided. He is the reason we have farm subsidies, which are now used almost exclusively as a way to give money to the already rich for doing absolutely nothing except giving campaign donations.
FDR did wait for the people to support WWII before he got involved. He started the "Help Britain Defend America" campaign to try to gain support, he also funded anti-Nazi and anti-Japanese films to get the necessary support to go to war. Ultimately it failed, but he did try to get involved in WWII long before Pearl Harbor.
FDR and his people supported widespread racism against the Japanese during WWII. Internment camps for one, but also military training at the time taught the dehumanization of Asians. There were two wars in WWII, one against the Nazi (not against the Germans themselves, just a subgroup) and one against the Japanese (or nips, or any other of the thousands of derogatory terms used for them).
__
Any president who tried to increase federal power over that of the states (violating the 10th amendment) and/or who tried to increase the power of the executive branch should not be considered in the top 3. Violation of our country's original ideas for freedom from oppressive gov't should negate any chance at a top ranking.
2007-09-28 14:56:44 · answer #3 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
His efforts regarding social reform and WWII stand out as his high points. He is associated with the prosperity, after the Depression years (war always give economical boosts). Plus, his lengthy time in office gave him more time to achieve more things. I personally wouldn't put him in the top 3, but I would consider him one of the top 5. (My 3 are Washington, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, FDR would be 4 for me).
2007-09-28 14:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by steddy voter 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
FDR is consistently mentioned as one of the greatest presidents, both for his efforts to lift America out of the Great Depression, and for his leadership during World War II.
2007-09-28 15:12:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
IMO - of those who were both general AND president, they were all better generals than they were president (and I do include Washington in that observation).
About the second link - any list of the best American Presidents, that does NOT include Thomas Jefferson, is worthless.
I'm a Moderate Independent. I will quite possibly vote Republican next year. But I would ALWAYS put the current idiot-in-chief in the 5 worst presidents of all time. In all the presidential elections, I would probably have voted for MORE Republicans than Democrats. But I can't believe how insanely bad the current president is. I believe he will leave office next year, after 8 years in office with absolutely NO positive achievements.
2007-09-28 14:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by dryheatdave 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
No matter how many surveys or rankings there are, the best president (or any ranking thereor) is purely a matter of opinion. There will always be people who do not like a certain president and there will always be people who like a president.
2007-09-28 14:41:00 · answer #7 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
FDR was a socialist. He got lucky that World War II broke out and he was able to provide the Arsenal of Democracy to get the economy going again. He didn't get us out of the depression though he had 8 years to do it, World War II got us out of the depression as we cranked out the products, employed the woman, and the men fought overseas. That sure will put a dent in the unemployment rate. We are still paying for FDR programs and probably always will.
2007-09-28 14:42:34 · answer #8 · answered by libsticker 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
FDR was cool. He was allowed to take off the kid gloves and kick a** during the war. Those old school dems are long gone,unfortunately.
2007-09-28 14:41:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt put FDR in top three.
He is high on the list but top 3 is a bit high.
2007-09-28 14:41:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋