A Bully as President is not New

I've heard all too many claim that Trump is unlike any other President we've ever had.  That he's a bully.  Not politically correct.  That he intimidates the press.  Well, does anyone remember President Lyndon Johnson (LBJ)?  In fact, the following picture of LBJ pulling his dog up by his ears speaks volumes about him:

In a review of the book "The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume III", the reviewer, Michael Shelden, appropriately titled his review,  "A Lewd, Crude Master".  One of his initial comments being "...the reader is offered an unforgettable image of the big Texan giving dictation to a nervous female secretary while he urinates in a corner washbasin."  Shelden further wrote:

"LBJ had the manners of a barnyard dog and enjoyed shocking his subordinates, whom he bullied mercilessly. Like most bullies, he was a coward at heart who used flattery and evasion to dominate more powerful foes, reserving his insults and tantrums for lesser folk. If one of his underlings did not jump fast enough or high enough, he shouted obscenities and threw things. He demanded absolute devotion, declaring, "I want someone who will kiss my ass in Macy's window and stand up and say, 'Boy, wasn't that sweet!'

 In a similar article written for the National Review by John Fund, this comment was made about LBJ:

"As president, he cut a grandiose figure. He was a braggart and a frequent liar. He was suspicious of other countries, frequently saying, “Foreigners are not like the folks I am used to.” He had a reckless disregard for limits. He belittled and browbeat others to intimidate them and give him what he wanted. Historian Robert Dallek said that he “viewed criticism of his policies as personal attacks” and opponents of his policies “as disloyal to him and the country.”

Fund further commented:

"He would bully and insult reporters, saying of one that he “always knew when he was around, because he could smell him.” He told whoppers about voter fraud in his elections. But he did get things done, dominating the political scene for good and for ill."

And, let's not forget that following President Kennedy's assassination, Kennedy's wife, Jackie, firmly believed that Vice President LBJ had her husband killed.  That fact alone, speaks volumes about what she and others thought of him.

A lot was done during Johnson's presidency.  There was civil rights, equal pay, medicaid, welfare and a whole host of other legislative actions were passed into law.  As Fund also stated "Johnson was reckless, grandiose, and intimidating, but he got things done..."  Also, he made mistakes.  Failed actions during the Vietnam War were examples. It was those failings that created the Democratic Party's anti-war stance of today.

I think we should wait and see if Trump is as effective as President Johnson.  And, those complaining about his "style" should brush up on history.

References:

Trump Is a Lot Like the LBJ Whom Liberals Still Idolize: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/445060/lyndon-johnson-donald-trump-grandiose-bullying-colossal-figures

Photo Source: President Picks up Dog by Ears. Public Outraged: http://howdyyall.com/Texas/TodaysNews/index.cfm?GetItem=64

A lewd, crude Master:  Michael Shelden reviews The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume III by Robert A Caro: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4728473/A-lewd-crude-Master.html

Jackie Kennedy believed LBJ had her husband killed according to tapes: https://www.google.com/search?q=did+lbj+kill+kennedy&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

LBJ's tragic “addiction” to Vietnam: The mistake that still haunts America 50 years later: http://www.salon.com/2015/07/28/lbjs_tragic_addiction_to_vietnam_the_mistake_that_still_haunts_america_50_years_later/

Obama's Abysmal Record On Poverty

In celebrating 50 years since President Lyndon Johnson declared his war on poverty, Obama has now declared his own war on poverty; and well he should.  That's because, right now, the poverty rate in America is higher than it has been in 49 years; when, in 1965, it stood at just 15.1%.

If you listen to the President, poverty could be lessened if we force companies to pay a higher minimum wage, extend unemployment benefits, and pass another stimulus package which he now calls a Jobs Act.  But, we already did all these things before and the poverty rate has only gone up and is showing no signs of dropping.

What Obama doesn't seem to understand is the fact that half the jobs that he keeps taking credit for are low paying, entry-level, and minimum wage work.  The kind of jobs that put, and keep, people in poverty. 

References:

Half Of All Jobs Created In The Past 3 Years Were Low-Paying: Study: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/low-paying-jobs_n_3266737.html

Despite massive increase in welfare spending, no change in poverty level: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/06/despite_massive_increase_in_welfare_spending_no_change_in_poverty_level.html

Obama Showing Restraint

During last week's 60 Minutes interview, President Barack Obama placed himself in fourth place against the legislative accomplishments of all other Presidents in American history. In fact, "he sees himself" just behind Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. For an "I-me-my" narcissist like Obama, this shows amazing and, I'm quite sure, mentally torturing restraint. For sure, he really wanted to say that he was "Numero Uno" but, instead, decided to "try and be humble" and seem a little less "audacious" by only pronouncing himself as history's fourth greatest President. Of course, in his mind, there's no doubt that all the Presidential historians, both now and going forward, will see him in that top slot; anyway. And, if you don't think so...just ask him!