TARBORO —
The question of the wealth of current presidential candidates and the net worth of past presidents seems to be of real interest to the newspaper pundits and the talking heads on TV. Some seem to believe that if a president or presidential candidate is wealthy then maybe they can’t understand the position of those of us who have to sweat to balance a household budget.
Looking back at history I don’t think it matters at all. Actually sometimes it appears that some of the wealthy seem to have more empathy toward us common folks that those who seek to gain wealth via political means.
Perhaps looking at the wealth of our first president, George Washington, would be a good place to start. Like so many I once thought of President Washington as just being our first president and not so much of how really great he was for this nation. As I read more history about the man himself, and the times he lived in, I came to realize just how fortunate this nation was to have Washington as our first President.
George Washington’s estimated net worth would have been around $525 million in today’s dollars. Washington owned five farms totaling 8,000 acres of prime farmland and his wife, Martha, inherited a lot of property from her father. Did Washington’s great wealth make him such a great president or was it a factor at all? Maybe it wasn’t a factor at all unless his ability and experience of successfully managing such wealth was indeed a positive factor.
At one time Thomas Jefferson’s worth was about $212 million in today’s dollars, but his estate was bogged down in debt at the time of his death.
Presidents Fillmore, Garfield, Arthur, Buchanan, Grant, Hayes and Lincoln had little financial worth at all.
Many economic factors had a strong bearing on how our presidents, and our citizens, made out in the past. The panic of 1819 and the depression of 1837, which lasted for six years, affected all our citizens and the wealthy too, including our presidents.
Family wealth gave a number of our presidents the ability to dwell on politics without having to concern themselves with such mundane things as making a living. In this group we’d have to include: Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
One thing is for sure, over the past fifty years once you gained the office of President of the United States, when you retired from office, or were voted out, you didn’t have to worry about living high on the hog for the rest of your life. Past presidents’ pensions are very good, plus many other opportunities open up.
Making speeches, serving on the Board of Directors of large companies, and writing their memoirs are just a few of the ways large post presidential incomes are earned.
Lyndon B. Johnson wasn’t poor when he was in the senate and when he was president, but after he left office he created a fortune that is estimated to be almost $100 million in today’s dollars. Much of this was in broadcasting investments and it has been strongly implied that he used his strong, inside influence to acquire FCC broadcasting licenses that the average person wouldn’t have had a chance of obtaining.
So, does the wealth of any individual seeking the office of president of the United States really matter? If it was realized through legal and honest means I think not. I think his/or her leadership and management abilities are much more important than what their bank account or investment portfolios may be worth.
(Bob Harper is a local resident who writes a column of general interest.)
Opinion
American presidents and their wealth
HARPING
- Opinion
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My 13 years have been lucky
It was 13 years Sunday that a drought was broken in Big Spring, Texas, After that, we ate Mexican for dinner with a gathering of family and friends.
The next day, a Saturday, Stephanie and I joined one another in marriage under a beautiful little gazebo by Comanche Trail Lake, fed by the historic spring from which the community draws its name. -
We Salute...
Each Friday, The Daily Southerner will recognize individuals, groups and businesses in Edgecombe County who have gone “above and beyond” in their effort to make this a better place to work, play and raise a family.
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Benghazi: We need the real truth
The American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, in Libya, was attacked on Sept. 11, 2012 by a heavily armed group. The attack began during the night at a compound that is meant to protect the consulate building. A second assault in the early morning the next day targeted a nearby CIA annex in a different diplomatic compound. Four people were killed including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. Ten others were injured.
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With much thanks and love …
The past month has been interesting, to say the least.
As I grew up, my first cousins — a group of us that have simply been referred to as “The Cousins” would often joke that when we died, we knew it would be as the result of a heart attack. That’s the history of the Walker family and my Dad and his seven brothers and sisters, as heir parents had, died of heart-related issues.
But along the way, something else happened, Cousins Joyce, Dudley, Don, Kenneth, Howard and Jimmy all died after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dudley and Don and Jimmy and Howard were brothers. But we were much more than cousins. We were a true Southern family in that no matter how far away we might move, we always wound up back at Granny Walker’s. -
Favoring Immigrants over Citizens
Should Immigrants ever be given more favorable treatment than those of us who are already U.S. citizens? Apparently President Obama believes this should be the case when it comes to Obamacare. When it comes to the terms of the immigration reform bill and Obamacare almost 11 million illegals will be given a provisional legal status to live and work in this country.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Princeville, the oldest African American community in North America, through the years has had many hurdles and set backs since it was established.Yet with its resilience, it has some how, through some miracles has always bounced back to stay the course of normalcy as best as it could envision. Yet, we must be ever so reminded that our earthly job of being responsible and accountable for and to ourselves shall never cease, until our journey is finished.
This beckoning call for volunteers is being directed to all the local residents who are concerned and aware of the deplorable existing condition of the cemetery on N.C. Highway 111.
This appeal is specifically for churches, community organizations, and all concerned able body men, women and young folks to respond. The purpose of the tentative meeting is to organize a special committee of volunteers within the community, to assumed the responsibilities and duties of maintaining the cemetery. This is where our deceased loved ones are laid to rest and one day for sure some or most of us, if it’s God's will, shall lay rest in this cemetery. It's about pride and cultural respect and decency that we the living owe our beloved ones who's gone over.
Please call or respond to the contact information below and we'll get in touch and arrange a special meeting to start this project. It's no secret that it's an eyesore and a reflection of what we collectively think of ourselves as well as about of our deceased. This mindset can change. With the weather changing, the grass will be growing. Once again we'll be faced with the cosmetic upkeep. There are some simple tasks we as concerned residents can come together as a concerned unit/group to maintain the appearance of our cemetery.
Calling all concerned men and women and children residing in historic Princeville.
Those interested please call (252) 823-3740
Milton Bullock
Native of Princeville
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer all over the United States. I would like to challenge every minister of the gospel to bring a group from his or her church and meet us on the Town Square across from Edgecombe County Courthouse at 11:45 p.m. Thursday for prayer and unity.
After looking through the phonebook and newspaper church page, there appears to be more than 300 churches in Edgecombe County of multiple faiths. Yet each year we barely have 25 people respond to the advertising for National Day of Prayer.
Prayer has no respective person and does not practice segregation, yet the church segregates itself every Sunday morning. As a blood bought believer in Jesus Christ, I ask all who believes that Jesus was born of virgin, died on the cross and rose on the third day to meet me with an expressive tongue of prayer for our local, state and national leaders. Are you up for the challenge.
Viola Harris -
We Salute...
Each Friday, The Daily Southerner will recognize individuals, groups and businesses in Edgecombe County who have gone “above and beyond” in their effort to make this a better place to work, play and raise a family.
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We Salute...
• ELLIS “BUDDY” HOOKS, on being named to receive the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD.
Hooks will be officially recognized on May 14.
• ALL PARTICIPANTS in the 76th EASTERN CAROLINA 4-H LIVESTOCK SHOW, held this week at the East Carolina Agriculture and Educational Center.
• Members of the TARBORO HIGH BOOSTERS CLUB, employees of the TOWN OF TARBORO, members of the GOLDEN K KIWANIS CLUB and all others involved in the successul staging of the 20th TARBORO EASTER CLASSIC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT, Despite chilly, wet weather on Thursday, today’s weather is forecast to improve to the point of being a perfect day at the ballpark.
• Edgecombe County businesses recognized for their efforts to promote a safe work place, including Keihin Carolina System Technology, Inc., Air System Components, ABB, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas, Tarboro Resource Center and QVC, Rocky Mount , Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corp., Hillshire Brands-Sara Lee Bakery and N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, Tarboro Branch Office.
• LT. FLEMING THOMPSON, a 2005graduate of Tarboro High School, on being named the United States Air Force’s 23rd Bomb Squadron NAVIGATOR OF THE YEAR.
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What makes smart people do stupid?
It really gets me to see those you would think are smart people do what are obviously stupid things. I’ve just read about what has been going on in the city of Stockton, Calif. The population of Stockton is about 300,000. It is next to a beautiful downtown waterfront and sports a handsome $46 million glass hockey arena and single-A baseball team, playing in a new taxpayer-financed stadium. Sounds great, but actually this is part of the terrible financial problems the city is experiencing.
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