POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Eisenhower
It's 2016. Another election year in the United States of America. Thought this might be a good time to look back. For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, American presidents are voted in by the people. Although if you believe in the gospel according to Senator Bernie Sanders, that's a myth. Big Money runs this country. It runs the campaign process. It runs the Congress. This is not America. This is the Roman Empire.
But let's just say – for purposes of my FOPP posts - the ideal democracy does exist and the real power does rest with the GAP (general American public) and the people do elect their leaders in America. Here's how it works. Leaders are elected. They get to serve for no more than two terms, 4 years each, 8 years top. Then they leave and they can't come back! Most citizens, like me, are OK with this arrangement. Additionally, most citizens, like me, will probably live through about 8 to 10 presidents in their lifetime.
This is my intro to a series of posts that will be published where I take a lookback at the presidential DOTS on my timeline. Won't be drawing from what is written about these fearless leaders in the history books. Just going to try to see what can be drawn from my memory.
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Beginning with the 34th POTUS, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served from 1953 to 1961 . You could say my DOT is on his timeline since, my birth occurred during his time of service, close to the end of the year 1955.
Only thing in my memory about this administration was that his daughter got married. No. That's not a political act. It's not politics at all. But … back in my time, children were taught not to speak when grown folks were talking and only thing I can recall grown folks talking about was the fact that his daughter was getting married.
Guess that's an indicator that times during 1953 to 1961 weren't too too bad. (???)
It's a guess from a person who was between the ages of: Newborn to 6 years. (O.o)
That's it! Not much extracted. Next post? Next POTUS DOT.
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history ♦ politics ♦ childhoodmemories ♦ Americanpresidents
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/world-war-ii-allies-generals-76645/
Comments
JohnRoberts wrote on January 18, 2016, 4:31 PM
I was born during Eisenhower's administration and my mother called me a rock and roll baby as my birth coincided with the rise of rock music.
2DWDavisRSL wrote on January 18, 2016, 4:51 PM
I was born 8 months after Kennedy's inauguration so I guess my first Dot would be on his taking office.
2One correction to your article, the President is not actually elected by the popular vote. When people in a state "vote" for President, they are actual voting for Electors who are then expected to vote for the candidate their state chose when the Electoral College convenes the December after the General Election. Historically, the Electoral College has not always chosen the candidate who won the popular vote. Who wins the Presidency is decided by who wins the most Electoral Votes, normally based on in which states that candidate receives the most votes. The League of Women Voters has an excellent website that explains the Electoral Process in some depth. http://lwv.org/content/who-will-elect-president-electoral-college-system
markgraham wrote on January 19, 2016, 3:12 PM
I was not even thought of at this time in history. I just remember him from history class.
1cmoneyspinner wrote on January 22, 2016, 10:16 AM
Yes. I am aware that the “devil is in the details” which is why I like to use the word “ideal”. In my mind, the “ideal democracy” is as I described it in my post. Should have made that clear. But your clarification stands. Thanks for the link.
cmoneyspinner wrote on January 22, 2016, 10:19 AM
JohnRoberts , DWDavisRSL , markgraham – Thanks for commenting. Not expecting a lot of feedback on my POTUS posts. Just recorded it for my own future reference. One day, if I live, I may not be able to remember any more. :)