I wasn't there, but readings of Andrew Jackson's life and march to the White House reveal a raucous character in our seventh president.
Starting at age 13 he was a warrior. First, he served in The Revolutionary War, then The War of 1812, and wars against Creek and Seminole Indians. After the Battle of New Orleans, General Jackson was nicknamed "Old Hickory" and became a national hero. He practiced law, became a skillful politician, and willingly participated in duels to uphold his honor and the honor of his beloved Rachel. By all accounts he was a fearless, often controversial, yet effective leader. Though he introduced a "spoils system" during his administration, he consistently received the votes and acclaim of people then known as "the common man". He battled and reformed banking tycoon practises at the time, and eventually got his picture on our twenty dollar bills. Some have described him as a populist and nationalist president. In retrospect, his actions against Native Americans were shameful, but not so unusual during his time in history when nation building often trampled human rights. Jackson was an action oriented character unlike his six predecessors who were great intellectuals and architects of a revolutionary new nation and constitution.
Some have compared Andrew Jackson and his campaign to that of Donald Trump.
While Trump has no military credentials or record of achievement, he is certainly a firebrand with great appeal to folks now known as "deplorables" by political opponents. He uses a populist and nationalist theme when he pledges to "Make America Great Again" and "Drain the Swamp" that is Washington D.C. I think Trump could resort to a duel, if it were still fashionable, and might resort to fisticuffs on a rare occasion or two. He has no history as a racist, but an incredible record of success in business. He is neither a pure republican or pure democrat. He might best be described as a charter member of The Pragmatist Party if such a political organization existed.
Trump's strongest appeal to many, in my opinion, is to upset the establishment of both political parties. He tags many donkey and elephant leaders as inept and corrupt officials more interested in their self interests than the concerns of the American people. This siren song of reform has great appeal given the facts of our economy, national infrastructure, slumping military strength, crippling budget deficits, and limp record of foreign policy leadership. Coupled with this theme, the hourly and daily revelations of corruption within the Clinton political empire may send the Donald to the White House and Hillary to the Big House.
In conclusion, I feel an electricity and explosive element in the Trump campaign which might reflect the raucous times of Andrew Jackson. Hopefully, a Trump inauguration will not include trashing the White House or stealing the silverware, but may occasion a bucket load of presidential proclamations beginning with the words... "you're fired!"
Starting at age 13 he was a warrior. First, he served in The Revolutionary War, then The War of 1812, and wars against Creek and Seminole Indians. After the Battle of New Orleans, General Jackson was nicknamed "Old Hickory" and became a national hero. He practiced law, became a skillful politician, and willingly participated in duels to uphold his honor and the honor of his beloved Rachel. By all accounts he was a fearless, often controversial, yet effective leader. Though he introduced a "spoils system" during his administration, he consistently received the votes and acclaim of people then known as "the common man". He battled and reformed banking tycoon practises at the time, and eventually got his picture on our twenty dollar bills. Some have described him as a populist and nationalist president. In retrospect, his actions against Native Americans were shameful, but not so unusual during his time in history when nation building often trampled human rights. Jackson was an action oriented character unlike his six predecessors who were great intellectuals and architects of a revolutionary new nation and constitution.
Some have compared Andrew Jackson and his campaign to that of Donald Trump.
While Trump has no military credentials or record of achievement, he is certainly a firebrand with great appeal to folks now known as "deplorables" by political opponents. He uses a populist and nationalist theme when he pledges to "Make America Great Again" and "Drain the Swamp" that is Washington D.C. I think Trump could resort to a duel, if it were still fashionable, and might resort to fisticuffs on a rare occasion or two. He has no history as a racist, but an incredible record of success in business. He is neither a pure republican or pure democrat. He might best be described as a charter member of The Pragmatist Party if such a political organization existed.
Trump's strongest appeal to many, in my opinion, is to upset the establishment of both political parties. He tags many donkey and elephant leaders as inept and corrupt officials more interested in their self interests than the concerns of the American people. This siren song of reform has great appeal given the facts of our economy, national infrastructure, slumping military strength, crippling budget deficits, and limp record of foreign policy leadership. Coupled with this theme, the hourly and daily revelations of corruption within the Clinton political empire may send the Donald to the White House and Hillary to the Big House.
In conclusion, I feel an electricity and explosive element in the Trump campaign which might reflect the raucous times of Andrew Jackson. Hopefully, a Trump inauguration will not include trashing the White House or stealing the silverware, but may occasion a bucket load of presidential proclamations beginning with the words... "you're fired!"
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