America’s Royal Families
Does America have royalty in politics? During the infancy of America John Adams and John Quincy Adams were elected to office. George H.W. Bush and son George W. Bush were also elected.
John F. Kennedy was president; Robert F. Kennedy was Attorney General and also ran for president before being assassinated, as was his brother.
Ted Kennedy, along several other Kennedy family members, served at various levels of government.
43 Presidents; 44 Presidencies
While we’ve had 44 presidencies only 43 men have been sworn in as president. Grover Cleveland was elected to two non-consecutive terms so he is both the 22nd and 24th president.
Modern Dynasties
In addition to the Kennedy’s, and Bushes, we have Hillary Clinton who is expected to run along with Jeb Bush, brother of Bush 43 and son of Bush 41.
The question begging to be answered is do we want to continue with these same lines of thinking, or is it time for America to move in a new direction?
The voters will make that final decision in November of 2016 but in the meantime there is a certain familiarity to voters of a somewhat known entity verses new unknown leadership.
Fear of loss is always more powerful than expectation of gain.
Bobby Kennedy knew he had an excellent chance to take over where his brother left off. George Bush continued some of his father’s policies.
Many people expect Hillary Clinton to combine the best of her husband, Bill Clinton’s policies, while continuing the liberal visions of President Barack Obama.
Some Final Thoughts
With the election over a year away it’s very difficult to predict what the voters will do. Many things can rise to the surface during an election year.
Will we see a third Bush in office? A second Clinton?
Or will someone out of the blue rise to the top of government?
I, like most people, want the best person at the reins of government regardless of name or family history.
I am not like my father or my brother, but there is always an assumed association between family members.
“The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree,” is a popular expression. I can’t deny that both family members had a significant influence in the direction of my life.
But I like to think I’m my own man.
Is that “acorn” expression accurate? You will be the judge when you step in the voting booth.
What’s your opinion? Bush, Clinton, or in the words of Monte Python, “Now for something completely different?”