Their presidencies were defined by principled stands - often against prevailing public opinion where the outcomes stood the test of time.

George Washington, the father of our country.  Washington, as the commander of the Continental Army, led the war of independence against Great Britain, the world’s superpower.  His strategies won against incredible odds.  Washington served 2 terms as president and then declared: “I do not want to be a King” term limiting himself.   In his Farewell Address, he warned against entangling alliances abroad. 

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.  He eliminated much of the “Hamiltonian” government excess that was created in the early years of the American Republic.  Jefferson strongly supported free trade and states rights over the federal government.

James Madison, the father of our US Constitution.   He inherited a budget surplus from President Thomas Jefferson, so he cut taxes!  Madison continued Jefferson’s assault on Alexander Hamilton’s national government infrastructure. (Hamilton was a big government central bank guy)  Madison strongly supported free trade and states rights over the federal government.

Andrew Jackson, known as “Old Hickory,” earned this nickname for his toughness as an army general. His troops gave him the name of Old Hickory during the War of 1812 because he was as tough as hickory wood and willing to endure the same hardships as them.  As president, Jackson ended America’s central bank of the day. He was nearly killed because of this action, but fortunately the assassin’s gun jammed. America remained free from the evils of central banking until 1913.

Calvin Coolidge was known as Silent Cal.  True, he used few words, but they carried a lot of impact. He inherited the presidency when President Harding suddenly passed away in August 1923.  Harding was involved in the scandal known as Teapot Dome.  The USA was also deeply in debt from World War I.   Coolidge brought a high level of ethics back to Washington DC and a much-needed attitude of frugal spending.  Compared to big government tax-and-spending Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, Coolidge stood apart.  He cut taxes 3 times.  He reduced the federal debt by 25%.  He vetoed farm and business subsidies.  He spoke in favor of civil rights for blacks and Catholics and then signed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, granting full citizenship to Native Americans.

Ronald Reagan, the great communicator.  He made Americans feel proud again. He was an optimist and truly understood his role as a leader both at home and on the world stage.

Reagan cut taxes to stimulate the American economy.   He inspired businesses to invest and grow creating one of the largest periods of non war economic growth.

Before Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, the Cold War was viewed as an endless stalemate and a permanent fact of life to be cautiously accepted. Ronald Reagan rejected the status quo and single handedly changed the narrative.  Where others saw a permanent rival in the Soviet Union, President Reagan saw a system destined to fail against the power of human liberty. Championing “Peace through Strength,” he didn’t just navigate the Cold War; he set the stage to end it. (Reagan Library)

Reagan sat down with our enemy’s leader to negotiate and then went to the border in Germany and told the leader of Russia; “Mr Gorbachev,  Tear Down This Wall”   It was one of the most watched events of the 1980s.  Reagan’s message was strong and prophetic. 

Turns out that people all over the world love freedom.