The Greatest American

I find may people throughout history has influenced this land greatly. There are people in every generation. I believe Martin Luther king held the mirror and allowed America to take a good look at itself. We sent out your men to fight for the freedom of another nation (Vietnam) while he himself could not sit in the front of the bus or sit at the counter of a diner.

Susan B Anthony stood strong and contrary to what some felt were Biblical sanctioned ways. She held the mirror while we saw Women to be people and not objects. I could go on with people I value in history but the ones I would list are the ones who caused us to pause and look at ourselves.

 

==No question about it my answer is George Washington.

If modern leaders would follow his lead, on several issues, this country would be a much better place.

O, two biographies of Washington I think everyone should read...

"His Excellency: George Washington" By Joseph Ellis
"Founding Father" By Richard Brookhiser

 

I have to go with Washington. The USA could have taken a completely different direction had Washington not been the man he was.

A good argument can be made for Lincoln as well - we could have become two or several nations if it had not been for him.

 

I believe Lincoln is actually the greater statesman, and keeping the Union together as important as Washington's leadership during the Revolution.

But I'll admit a certain prejudice based on Washington's involvement with Tanacharisson, the Seneca Half-King, just prior to the French and Indian War. Of course, his loss there was an education that helped later.

Neither have been matched as Greatest Americans.

 

FDR and Ronald Reagan for standing strong for democracy and freedom even when the isolationists said it couldn't work, and proving that it could.

Joseph Botwinick

 

General Robert Edward Lee

He was an incredible man of God. Who served him unselfishly.

#2 would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He believed all men are created equal and should not be judged by the color of their skin but the character of the heart.

#3 would be H.K. Edgerton, who is trying to keep both of these mens dreams alive.

 

George Washington.

 

I think a lot of Washington's greatness was in not trying to hold on to the presidency at the end of two terms. The smooth transition to the next president was accomplished without fracturing the new democracy.

 

For what reason do so many choose Washington?

Because he was a great war leader?
Great president?

I think the term "founding father" or "father of this nation" is a bit skewed and gives him credit for work and effort of many other men. Was America Washington's idea?

 

Marion Michael Morrison, Julius Henry Marx, Ronald McDonald, Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, Ralph Hinkley

:smilewinkgrin: :smilewinkgrin: :smilewinkgrin:

*sigh* I wish my edit time would run out.....

 

I think the category is far too broad. However, considering political figures, I would have to limit my answer to three great Americans:

George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Roosevelt

 

If you were to list the three who had the greatest impact in making America the great nation it is, there would be no others.

A step below would be Jefferson for his view of democracy, Madison for the Bill of Rights, and Hamilton for his vision and work to secure us as one nation.

 

Isn't it obvious?

 

Well you know something Mean Gene webdog, all through the '80s I watched so much WWF brother that I could do a Hulkster impersonation that would even impress Terry Bollea himself man. Come to think of it if I trained, said my prayers, ripped my T-shirt, and ate my vitamins if my diet would let me I could probably do it again....So how I didn't think of him for the list I'll never know. Hope I never meet the Hulkster now or I'll really be on the wrong side of the 24 Inch Pythons™ :smilewinkgrin:

 

If FDR would have been alive throughout the 80's, he would have supported Reagan, and would have been called a neo-con.

I agree that he was a great American for that reason alone. Oh, for the days when the Democrats actually cared about democracy and the rest of the world, and not just themselves and their own political power.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Moving this to the History Forum since it is not news.

 

It was news to me. I didn't know so many people liked George???