OPINION:
Two recent commentary pieces, “The perpetual presidency” (Web, Dec. 5) and “A powerful lesson as we remember President Bush” (Web, Dec. 5) combined to convey a very powerful lesson.
Cal Thomas quotes James Baker, Bush 41’s closest friend, as noting that “power can be intoxicating,” which might explain comments in Hanson’s commentary. Hanson notes that in recent times Republican ex-presidents Ronald Reagan, H. W. Bush and George W. Bush left the limelight at the end of their tenures.
In contrast, Democrats Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama behaved as though the presidency was a never-ending position. During retirement each has sought to influence public policy, continuing to voice their progressive views in the hope that agenda they failed to implement might be resurrected.
Yes, power can be both intoxicating and corrosive, particularly when one is attempting to impose cultural changes to an established society resistant to progressive ideas. The retirement actions of some former presidents reflects these men’s concern that their legacy will be far less admired than they hoped.
STANLEY ORMAN
Rockville
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