After watching the extended funeral of former President Jimmy Carter it brought back many memories of his presidency. President Carter was the most religious, respectful and frugal president of my lifetime. He promised voters he would never lie to them. After leaving the Navy Carter returned to his family’s failing peanut farm, saved it from bankruptcy and expanded it into a very profitable operation. He then entered politics as a Georgia state senator, was later elected governor and then became the President. I remember his presidency and all of the problems that came with it. I remember him sitting down for an interview with Playboy magazine and being asked if he had ever lusted after a woman and giving his honest answer he said Yes! The public was outraged by his answer but what did you expect him to say? Other problems were quickly mounting and starting to snowball within his presidency. Russia invaded Afghanistan, Iranian students captured and held hostage our entire embassy. The U.S. experienced double digit inflation, gas prices rose dramatically and gas was rationed. Long lines resulted from the rationing and the voters never forgave him for this. To make things worse he authorized a clandestine mission to rescue our embassy personnel that ended in disaster. Bad events that happen during your presidency are always blamed on the President. President Carter was replaced after one term by Ronald Reagan and the Iranians released all hostages the day before Reagan took office.
Columns/Opinions
January 15, 2025
History Always Repeats Itself