That’s the LBJ I remember. Also makes me think of the line from Phil Och’s song Ten Cents a Coup “I thought that Johnson was the Devil, I thought we couldn’t do no worse. Now the White House stands in Disneyland, this country must be under curse.”
For whatever reason, LBJ thought he had to expand on Kennedy’s (and Eishenhower’s) involvement in Viet Nam, a horrible mistake. But even back then, the nation didn’t feel like it does now with the massive alienation and anger.
If anyone learned from LBJ, it’s Mitch McConnell. Say what you want about him, he’s been very effective in achieving the conservative right wing agenda even while in the minority.
LBJ: Some very good things, some very bad things: As mourdac points out, LBJ extended the US involvement in Vietnam to the point where France pulled out, and the US doubled and tripled down, long after the war made any sense at all. Over the same time period, there were significant civil rights advances while a considerable part of the Democrat base was Dixiecrat. Of course, as a result, the “party of Lincoln” became the white power engine in politics.
While the Republicans had the upper hand in Washington, they could have cemented more years in control if they had helped all of the people instead of greedily catering to the rich. If the Democrats win the upper hand now, will they strengthen their control by helping the general public or will they also be exclusive and blow it?
The Revenue act of 1964 (which cut taxes – you should like that – for increasing PERSONAL income, and as a consequence he had the highest growth in the post-WWII era)
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which allowed in more non-Europeans, who were discriminated against based on ancient, racist laws.
Head Start and Job Corps
The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, which reduced the number of Americans under the poverty line
Medicare
Medicaid
Funding for poorer schools across the country
(ALL of which the GOP is trying to kill, or has gutted already.)
And LBJ planned to ramp down the Vietnam War, which was started by Eisenhower, let us not forget, and had a peace agreement in hand, which was undercut secretly by Nixon, who negotiated with the North Vietnamese from behind the scenes. This was, to be clear, an act of treason, which ultimately extended the Vietnam War another seven years. LBJ chose not to reveal it, which I think was a mistake.
Was he a pleasant man? No. Was he a horrible president? Actually, he was a remarkably successful and groundbreaking president, who managed to carry through the legislation that Kennedy was not. Furthermore, contrary to #45’s idiotic remark, if there is anyone who did nearly as much for African-Americans as Lincoln, it’s LBJ.
And however unpleasant LBJ was as an individual, he doesn’t even COMPARE to the disgusting excuse for a human being in the Oval Office today, who is the most openly corrupt president in a century – and one of the most corrupt of all time, let alone the worst president since Buchanan. And if #45 gets re-elected, he may try to beat the record for American deaths set by the Civil War. He’s over a third of the way there already…
Our last above average president: voting rights, Medicare, investing in our citizens with Great Society. When I was a graduate student in history in 1980, who would’ve believed that the presidents since 1968 have been mediocre at best? the corporations would take over? the global economy would lower the average standard of living?
There were stories about Lyndon needing unpopular legislation passed and telling Hubert Humphrey while holding him close by the collar and kicking him in the shins.
richsolano over 3 years ago
LBJ did more for the African-American community than any President, with the exception of Abraham Lincoln. There! NOW it sounds right!
Teto85 Premium Member over 3 years ago
And with that strong coffee and tobacco laced breath Lyndon could kill a horse.
Znox11 over 3 years ago
The problem with government these days…no one knows how to govern.
wahsahzii over 3 years ago
That’s the LBJ I remember. Also makes me think of the line from Phil Och’s song Ten Cents a Coup “I thought that Johnson was the Devil, I thought we couldn’t do no worse. Now the White House stands in Disneyland, this country must be under curse.”
guyjen2004 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Horrible man and horrible president.
Radish the wordsmith over 3 years ago
Hey hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?
The only thing worse than LBJ was Richard Nixon.
quixotic3 over 3 years ago
The whole point of having moral authority is to wield it ruthlessly on behalf of the powerless.
mourdac Premium Member over 3 years ago
For whatever reason, LBJ thought he had to expand on Kennedy’s (and Eishenhower’s) involvement in Viet Nam, a horrible mistake. But even back then, the nation didn’t feel like it does now with the massive alienation and anger.
ChristopherBurns over 3 years ago
If anyone learned from LBJ, it’s Mitch McConnell. Say what you want about him, he’s been very effective in achieving the conservative right wing agenda even while in the minority.
6.6TA over 3 years ago
LBJ: Some very good things, some very bad things: As mourdac points out, LBJ extended the US involvement in Vietnam to the point where France pulled out, and the US doubled and tripled down, long after the war made any sense at all. Over the same time period, there were significant civil rights advances while a considerable part of the Democrat base was Dixiecrat. Of course, as a result, the “party of Lincoln” became the white power engine in politics.
ferddo over 3 years ago
While the Republicans had the upper hand in Washington, they could have cemented more years in control if they had helped all of the people instead of greedily catering to the rich. If the Democrats win the upper hand now, will they strengthen their control by helping the general public or will they also be exclusive and blow it?
Daeder over 3 years ago
Sorry, Guyjen. If you voted for Il Douche, you waived your right to comment on anyone else being either a horrible person or a horrible President.
Motivemagus over 3 years ago
@guyjen2004:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Revenue act of 1964 (which cut taxes – you should like that – for increasing PERSONAL income, and as a consequence he had the highest growth in the post-WWII era)
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which allowed in more non-Europeans, who were discriminated against based on ancient, racist laws.
Head Start and Job Corps
The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, which reduced the number of Americans under the poverty line
Medicare
Medicaid
Funding for poorer schools across the country
(ALL of which the GOP is trying to kill, or has gutted already.)
And LBJ planned to ramp down the Vietnam War, which was started by Eisenhower, let us not forget, and had a peace agreement in hand, which was undercut secretly by Nixon, who negotiated with the North Vietnamese from behind the scenes. This was, to be clear, an act of treason, which ultimately extended the Vietnam War another seven years. LBJ chose not to reveal it, which I think was a mistake.
Was he a pleasant man? No. Was he a horrible president? Actually, he was a remarkably successful and groundbreaking president, who managed to carry through the legislation that Kennedy was not. Furthermore, contrary to #45’s idiotic remark, if there is anyone who did nearly as much for African-Americans as Lincoln, it’s LBJ.
And however unpleasant LBJ was as an individual, he doesn’t even COMPARE to the disgusting excuse for a human being in the Oval Office today, who is the most openly corrupt president in a century – and one of the most corrupt of all time, let alone the worst president since Buchanan. And if #45 gets re-elected, he may try to beat the record for American deaths set by the Civil War. He’s over a third of the way there already…
LBJ was at least COMPETENT.
VegaAlopex over 3 years ago
Our last above average president: voting rights, Medicare, investing in our citizens with Great Society. When I was a graduate student in history in 1980, who would’ve believed that the presidents since 1968 have been mediocre at best? the corporations would take over? the global economy would lower the average standard of living?
PoodleGroomer over 3 years ago
There were stories about Lyndon needing unpopular legislation passed and telling Hubert Humphrey while holding him close by the collar and kicking him in the shins.