Old Hickory

I just finished watching a very interesting special program on the History Channel about the Seventh President of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson, and it really got me thinking about some things.

First of all, I know that some people will do anything they can to diminish the memory of this man, and it's certain that he made some huge mistakes in his life, and in the decisions he made, however, some of the criticism is unfair. Among the biggest criticism is in regards to the tragic issue of "Indian Removal." President Jackson strongly supported a bill in Congress, and was able to get it passed, which required all American Indians to be moved west of the Mississippi River. This law was struck down by the Supreme Court, but Jackson sent the Army to enforce it anyway, saying that while the Court had made the ruling, he would see if they could enforce it. For many reasons this is not something he should have done, but to be fair, this action was supported by Presidents both pre and post the Jackson Presidency, as well as a majority of Americans, and the only thing really different about Jackson is that he had the Character and the strength of will to get it done. No doubt though that this is a black mark on his own legacy and the History of our great nation, but that is only one aspect of this man.

Andrew Jackson was unique in the History of American politics, and sadly, we are not likely to find his kind in American politics today. He was the common man, the anti-elite, and the embodiment of the American Dream. A person who went from nothing all the way to the highest office in the land. A passionate man who settled his problems with rivals on the dueling field, in one instance allowing himself to be shot, not rushing to shoot first, so that he might, instead of wasting his shot, have a chance to kill his opponent, who had spoken ill of Jackson's wife. Placing his hand over the bullet wound, which, but for a half an inch, would have taken his life, carefully aimed and killed the man who had slandered the honor of his beloved. As a military man, after being ordered to disband his troops and send them home any way they could get there, refused to disband them, or to abandon them, and led them back to Tennessee, paying for the provisions to get them home out of his own pocket, even surrendering his own horse so that those too sick to walk could ride.

Jackson was not a perfect man, nor did he always take the correct positions, or come down on the right side of every issue, but he was a man of Character, a man of Principle, and not someone who would ever pander on any issue, for any reason. This is what we need from our politicians today.

It should also be noted that Jackson was the only President in the History of our nation to pay off the national debt. That's right, believe it or not, we once had a President who believed that the Government should have to live within it's means. What a concept, that is really something that we could use today.

I keep looking at our political choices today, and wondering, why is it that no one will take a stand? So many want to pander, perhaps it's because they feel that there is no way for them to get elected if they don't tell everyone what they think they want to hear. For me, however, I don't want to hear what they think I want to hear, I want to hear the truth. I want to know what politicians really think, and where they really stand on the issues, and what they would try to do if elected to whatever office they are running for. I do fully understand that once a person is in office, there are times when they must compromise if they want to get anything done at all, but I also want to know that they understand the difference between issues where compromise is OK, and those where you must hold your ground and never give in because it's just that important.

On the other hand, it is kind of funny that Jackson's face appears on the Twenty Dollar Bill, given that he passionately hated paper money, and for very good reasons, but that is for a different day.

I should also point out that I have not failed to notice that I sit here in Florida writing this blog. It was General Jackson who led the campaign to gain Florida as US Territory, and he was also the first Governor of the Territory, being the one to set up the Government of the state initially.

I also wonder if there is something to be said for God smiling on Andrew Jackson. I don't claim to know the mind of God, but if you look at the life of this man, and all the times that he narrowly avoided death, including an assassination attempt while he was President, in which both of the Assassins two guns failed to fire. On top of that though, the coincidence of the Battle of New Orleans in relation to the end of the War of 1812. Even though a Treaty was reached with Great Briton two weeks before the Battle of New Orleans, news of Jackson's utter defeat of the British reached the ears of the American public first, so, when they heard that the War was officially over, it seemed pretty natural to assume that Jackson had won the war. A little something to think about anyway.

Basically, I just want someone on the political scene who will do what is best for the American people, and not what is best for their own political career. Someone who will not pander for votes, and who will not sell out to any special interest for any reason, but will hold to their principles, and really be passionate about the founding principles of the USA, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.