The ninth and tenth presidents who earn inclusion on my list of Top Ten Presidents would be John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. Kennedy (president from January 20, 1961-November 22, 1963) earns a place because his "New Frontier" program helped to propel the US to its greatest prosperity ever. Additionally, he began the Peace Corps, worked for Civil Rights legislation, and increased the minimum wage. Kennedy, also, began historic efforts to send a man to the moon and showed down the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis when he forced them to remove nuclear weapons from the island. Additionally, he achieved a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets, along with other leading world powers, and truly lived up to his moniker as "Leader of the Free World." Lastly, to me, the words he spoke during his January 20, 1961, inaugural address still echo today, namely, "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your county can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Reagan (president from January 20, 1981-January 20, 1989) earns the final spot on my Top Ten Presidents list for various reasons. For example, his economic policy, which has been called "Reaganomics", basically called for lower taxes and less government, and it did lead to a stronger economy. Furthermore, Reagan fought for strong family values and appointed the first female Supreme Court justice, namely Sandra Day O'Connor. His 376 judicial appointments are, also, the most of any president and their conservative nature still has a strong influence on the decisions being made today. He is probably most famous, however, for his role in ending the Cold War. In my opinion, he will forever be remembered for his words at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, on June 12, 1987, when he said, "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall". These then, are the presidents who qualify for my pre-Obama list of Top Ten American presidents. At this point, January 15, 2011, President Obama has a lot to do before he can squeeze into this list. Obviously, he has earned many great accomplishments, however, the jury is still out. Please, post at this blog so that we can continue our dialogue on this crucial American topic. Best regards.

The seventh and eighth presidents who make my top ten list are Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. To me, Truman (president from April 12, 1945-January 20, 1953) deserves mention because he promoted civil rights legislation and worked to integrate the US military. He also developed the "Truman Doctrine", whereby, the United States would support democracy worldwide and would act as a force against communism. He also helped to found the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) and led us through the Korean War, which probably helped us to avoid a World War III. He said in a message to Congress, on April 16, 1945, that, "The responsibility of great states is to serve and not to dominate the world", and surely this splendid notion summed up his administration and earned my great respect. Additionally, as I said, Dwight D. Eisenhower (president from January 20, 1953-January 20, 1961) also earns a place on my list. He achieved this by working for civil rights, beginning the US space program, and by expanding the interstate highway system. Furthermore, he instituted the "Eisenhower Doctrine" which allowed for countries to request US economic assistance if they were being threatened by a country controlled by international communism. Indeed, he was a voice of stability during the Cold War and also ended the Korean War. Still further, although he largely extended the programs of his predecessors, he did add initiatives and for this too I commend him.

As I mentioned yesterday, my fifth and sixth presidents would be Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. I picked Wilson (president from March 4, 1913-March 4, 1021) because, to me, he was a champion of world peace and democracy and skillfully led our nation through World War I. He also led as a reformer who created the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, as well as, enacting laws against child labor and exploitation. He said, in a speech before Congress, on April 2, 1917, that, "There is one choice we cannot make...we will not choose the path of submission...the world must be made safe for democracy," after Germany attacked us to begin World War I, and this truly was his guiding principle. For his efforts, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1920. I chose Franklin D. Roosevelt (president from March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945) for equally impressive reasons. For example, in my opinion, his historic "New Deal" programs, such as the Civil Works Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Social Security Act, helped to end the Great Depression. Additionally, his courage and vision essentially led us through World War II. Indeed, to me, his wisdom and bravery can be surmised from the opening words of his first inaugural address when he said, "So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing to fear is fear itself." Truly, he was a magnificent leader.

Please, this is to let you know my third and fourth top presidents were listed in the comments section of my August 15th post. These presidents are Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. I hope you find the reasons for their selection convincing!

I haven't written in awhile, but, with the midterm elections coming very soon, certainly this is an appropriate time. Also, I will need to go to some other blog sites to encourage visitors. Discussion is critical in a democracy and let's learn together. At this point, let me now introduce the fifth and sixth presidents to make my list. They would be Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt and hopefully tomorrow we'll learn why. Stay tuned!

My second top ten president would be Thomas Jefferson (president from March 4, 1801-March 4, 1809). To me, he was an excellent president who gained international respect and prestige for this new nation by winning a war against Tripoli pirates off the coast of Africa, when they attacked our ships and, also, by enlarging the nation through the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expeditions. Certainly, any top ten president should be compared to this man who once said, "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against any form of tyranny over the mind of man" (in a September 23, 1800 letter to Benjamin Rush). Do you agree?

The first president who would definitely be included in my blog of Top Ten Presidents would, of course, be George Washington (president from April 30, 1789-March 4, 1797). He supported a strong central government by funding the national debt, implementing an effective tax system, and creating a national bank. In his farewell address he warned against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars and as Henry Lee said during his funeral oration, in 1799, he was "...first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." For all of his courage and accomplishments, I agree and have no problem listing him. What do you think?