Next year, Abraham Lincoln will have been on the penny for one hundred years. Perhaps it is time for a new face on the coin, if the government insists on continuing to produce and use pennies. One person who would be appropriate is Theodore Roosevelt. This president is honored in Mount Rushmore and other national monuments, but does not appear on any currency.
As president, he brought America into the international political scene, whereas before America was traditionally isolated. America might not be the superpower it is today, had not Theodore Roosevelt established it as a political player. He was a superb diplomat, negotiating many disputes and even an end to the Russo-Japanese war (and winning a Nobel Peace Prize in the doing). Towards the end of his presidency, he prepared the nation for the conflict that would later be known as World War I. Thanks to his foresight, America was ready to face an inevitable war.
On a national level, he helped bring about antitrust laws to control huge corporations and enabled the working man to earn a living wage. His decisions on which trusts were “good” or “bad” formed the standards of business practice we know today, which allow the working class to support themselves and their families, but also protect businesses from unreasonable demands. He also reduced the national debt by almost one hundred million dollars, which would be amazing even (especially?) nowadays.
There is no denying Lincoln was a great president, but the time always comes for change. Perhaps a century was long enough- he already has the five dollar bill, why not allow another great president to grace the front of the one cent coin?
As president, he brought America into the international political scene, whereas before America was traditionally isolated. America might not be the superpower it is today, had not Theodore Roosevelt established it as a political player. He was a superb diplomat, negotiating many disputes and even an end to the Russo-Japanese war (and winning a Nobel Peace Prize in the doing). Towards the end of his presidency, he prepared the nation for the conflict that would later be known as World War I. Thanks to his foresight, America was ready to face an inevitable war.
On a national level, he helped bring about antitrust laws to control huge corporations and enabled the working man to earn a living wage. His decisions on which trusts were “good” or “bad” formed the standards of business practice we know today, which allow the working class to support themselves and their families, but also protect businesses from unreasonable demands. He also reduced the national debt by almost one hundred million dollars, which would be amazing even (especially?) nowadays.
There is no denying Lincoln was a great president, but the time always comes for change. Perhaps a century was long enough- he already has the five dollar bill, why not allow another great president to grace the front of the one cent coin?
3 comments:
I like the effort to encourage me to put Teddy on the Penny, however, this one also lacked to draw me in due to all the facts and not the "pitch" if you will to sell me on this idea.
I thought it was well researched. I did not feel interested reading this essay though try to draw the reader in more.
not a bad start. the only think was lacking in this essay was the good research
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