American presidents get the entire spotlight in today’s society, and have a monopoly over displaying their busts on coins. That’s all well and good, but what about the governors, mayors, city officials? Don’t they deserve the right to proudly flaunt their facades on the thing they covet the most- money? America is a Union of States, and I feel to stay true to the original conceptions that the founding fathers had for America, it is imperative to look at the city and state officials as much as the executive officials. That is why I feel that there should be only one man’s head on the penny- “Boss” Tweed.
Tweed exemplifies the classic American dream, the son of Scottish and Irish immigrants in New York who went from nothing and took everything. Tweed spent his early life as a real American hero, the fireman, which of course is always the gateway into politics in New York.
Tweed made a real difference after getting elected to the House of Representatives and the Senate. He was able to give big legislative breaks to the big railroad companies, and he even managed to be director of that same company!
“Boss” Tweed was a real American politician. If there was one thing Tweed could do, it was get money into the hands of those that needed it- himself. A man like Tweed was too important to allow control of New York to fall into the hands of the public. That’s why in 1870, he passed a charter that made sure only the mayor could control civil services, like parks and public works. Sure he made a little money inflating invoice amounts, but did he not deserve it for his civic duties?
Unfortunately men like Tweed become enemies of the less accomplished. The envy of the public, who could not appreciate the beauty of his “Tammany Hall” (where he preserved his “interests”) from their street hovels, decided he would better serve in jail- where he died. Tweed was just another martyr to the cause of the “Old Man’s Club”, a fighter for the cause. Though he may have died, he did so with a great fortune of public money. That’s why I feel a man like Tweed deserves to have his head on the American coin, to remind the public where it goes.
Tweed exemplifies the classic American dream, the son of Scottish and Irish immigrants in New York who went from nothing and took everything. Tweed spent his early life as a real American hero, the fireman, which of course is always the gateway into politics in New York.
Tweed made a real difference after getting elected to the House of Representatives and the Senate. He was able to give big legislative breaks to the big railroad companies, and he even managed to be director of that same company!
“Boss” Tweed was a real American politician. If there was one thing Tweed could do, it was get money into the hands of those that needed it- himself. A man like Tweed was too important to allow control of New York to fall into the hands of the public. That’s why in 1870, he passed a charter that made sure only the mayor could control civil services, like parks and public works. Sure he made a little money inflating invoice amounts, but did he not deserve it for his civic duties?
Unfortunately men like Tweed become enemies of the less accomplished. The envy of the public, who could not appreciate the beauty of his “Tammany Hall” (where he preserved his “interests”) from their street hovels, decided he would better serve in jail- where he died. Tweed was just another martyr to the cause of the “Old Man’s Club”, a fighter for the cause. Though he may have died, he did so with a great fortune of public money. That’s why I feel a man like Tweed deserves to have his head on the American coin, to remind the public where it goes.
8 comments:
I like the arguments to why he should be considered for the new image on the face of the penny, but I do not agree with Mr. Tweed being a strong enough symbol to represent or U.S. of A.
I like that you thought outside the box on this one, however Boss Tweed does not seem relevant enough to the U.S. to hold such an honor. Not to say that he is not worthy of recognition, but the face of the penny is a little extreme.
I have to say, I like this because you seemed to know a lot about the subject you were writing about. Not only that, but someone who was as "in the wealth" as Tweed does seem fitting for being on a piece of currency.I also thought the structure of the piece seemed to flow from one segment into another really well.The only thing i really can note on that would be negative about this is I couldn't tell if you were using sarcasm for the bits illustrating his greediness, which i was fairly sure was the case.
this eassy conveys a lot of respect i feel. i like how you magnified Mr. Tweeds works and how he has done so much for the american country. Unfortunately i do not like the fact that he has a past of betraying the american government for its money; like you stated "inflation", so it would be very hard for me to see someone that even the government couldnt trsut, be on the face of something that lead him to his death in jail; which was money.
It has a strong arguement and was well presented on Boss Tweed. However I did not see any arguement leading to the opposing sides, such as many people do not know who mayors of other states are outside of our own.
Yes, as a few have noticed this piece is completely satyrical. Don't take it literally.
Many men have come and made money, been elected into Senate, gave to the poor. I don't see how his life is worthy of the same distinction given to a former U.S. President.
Very interesting essay! Thought provoking. Taught me something I didn't know.
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