It’s tempting to say Ronald Reagan is the best President of the past century, and I’ve certainly demonstrated my man-crush on the Gipper, but earlier today at the Mont Pelerin Society (it’s currently Friday night in Australia) I had the privilege of listening to Amity Shlaes of the Council on Foreign Relations make the case for Calvin Coolidge.
So I dug around online and found an article Amity wrote for Forbes, which highlights some of the attributes of “Silent Cal” that she mentioned in her speech. As you can see, she makes a persuasive case.
… the Coolidge style of government, which included much refraining, took great strength and yielded superior results. …Coolidge and Mellon tightened and pulled multiple times, eventually getting the top rate down to 25%, a level that hasn’t been seen since. Mellon argued that lower rates could actually bring in greater revenues because they removed disincentives to work. Government, he said, should operate like a railroad, charging a price for freight that “the traffic will bear.” Coolidge’s commitment to low taxes came from his concept of property rights. He viewed heavy taxation as the legalization of expropriation. “I want taxes to be less, that the people may have more,” he once said. In fact, Coolidge disapproved of any government intervention that eroded the bond of the contract. …More than once Coolidge vetoed what would later be called farm allotment–the government purchase of commodities to reduce supply and drive up prices. …Today our government has moved so far from Coolidge’s tenets that it’s difficult to imagine such policies being emulated.
But if you don’t want to believe Amity, here’s Coolidge in his own words. This video is historically significant since it is the first film (with sound) of an American President. The real value, however, is in the words that are being said.
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] of course, we can figure out ways to reincarnate the very rare Republican and very rare Democrat who did the right […]
[…] of course, we can figure out ways to reincarnate the very rare Republican and very rare Democrat who did the right […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] of America’s best presidents, Calvin Coolidge, had a great explanation of Independence Day. But this video from Kite and Key […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] I’ve also lauded Calvin Coolidge on several occasions. […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] also lauded Calvin Coolidge on several […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] There was one other president in the 20th century who deserves praise and […]
[…] Here’s the other great President of the last […]
[…] But if we look at the past 100 years, Calvin Coolidge might rank even higher. […]
[…] But if we look at the past 100 years, Calvin Coolidge might rank even higher. […]
[…] For my annual Independence Day columns, I sometimes try to make serious points, such as last year when I shared the very wise words of Calvin Coolidge, who is probably America’s most-underappreciated president. […]
[…] Today, we’re going to commemorate a great speech by one of America’s best Presidents. […]
[…] Ms. Shlaes is Chairman of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, I suggest you click here and here to learn more about the 20th century’s best or second-best […]
[…] me miss Reagan even more. The only great president of my lifetime, and either the best or second-best president of the 20th […]
[…] know that Reagan and Coolidge are the two best Presidents of the past 100 years, but I’ve never given much thought about who […]
[…] know that Reagan and Coolidge are the two best Presidents of the past 100 years, but I’ve never given much thought about […]
[…] Since I’ve asserted that Calvin Coolidge may be the best President of the 20th Century, it behooves me to point out what he said, as cited by Reagan, about shrinking government to save people. […]
[…] Since I’ve asserted that Calvin Coolidge may be the best President of the 20th Century, it behooves me to point out what he said, as cited by Reagan, about shrinking government to save people. […]
[…] I’ve asserted that Calvin Coolidge may be the best President of the 20th Century, it behooves me to point out […]
[…] definitely the greatest president of my lifetime and, with one possible rival, he was the greatest President of the 20th […]
[…] if you don’t believe me, listen to these powerful remarks from “Silent […]
[…] Can You Name the Greatest President of the Past 100 Years? […]
[…] sometimes they are on my side. My two favorite presidents are Reagan and Coolidge, and I have great admiration for those few politicians – such as Ron Paul – who almost always […]
[…] if you don’t believe me, listen to these powerful remarks from “Silent […]
[…] if you don’t believe me, listen to these powerful remarks from “Silent […]
[…] already shared a famous Calvin Coolidge video to show he said the right things. But, even more important, he did the right […]
[…] already shared a famous Calvin Coolidge video to show he said the right things. But, even more important, he did the right […]
Magnificent website. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your effort!
[…] I’ve already expressed my view that Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of the past 100 years. Indeed, his only competition is from Calvin Coolidge. […]
[…] Some of you may be wondering why I would say such a thing. After all, I periodically express my profound admiration for Ronald Reagan (as well as my appreciation for the only other good President of the past 100-plus years). […]
[…] that awful video with the wise comments made in this video by another President. Rate this:Share […]
[…] Can You Name the Greatest President of the Past 100 Years? « International Liberty. Share this:TwitterRedditFacebookEmailPrintDiggStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← New trend: State-run pension plans for private-sector workers | BenefitsPro […]
[…] Here’s the other great President of the last century. Rate this:Share […]
[…] than my ongoing adulation for Ronald Reagan, occasional praise for Calvin Coolidge, and one post about John F. Kennedy, I don’t have many nice things to say about previous […]
[…] than my ongoing adulation for Ronald Reagan, occasional praise for Calvin Coolidge, and one post about John F. Kennedy, I don’t have many nice things to say about previous […]
[…] than my ongoing adulation for Ronald Reagan, occasional praise for Calvin Coolidge, and one post about John F. Kennedy, I don’t have many nice things to say about previous […]
[…] than my ongoing adulation for Ronald Reagan, occasional praise for Calvin Coolidge, and one post about John F. Kennedy, I don’t have many nice things to say about previous […]
[…] really like is a candidate who could sincerely give these remarks. Or, perhaps even better, make this statement. Rate this: Share this:PrintEmailFacebookTwitterMoredeliciousDiggFarkLinkedInRedditStumbleUponLike […]
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to go back the prefer?.I’m attempting to in finding things to enhance my site!I assume its good enough to use some of your ideas!!
Ms. Shlaes is right!
I’ve performed an historical solo on Cal – “More Than Two Words” – for over 25 years. He is the Man!
No Question.
See: Reagan’s Heroes on YouTube
Excellent blog here! Additionally your website lots up very fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate link in your host? I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
[…] even though Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge are two of my heroes, now you know why I don’t consider myself a Republican. 33.669465 […]
[…] even though Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge are two of my heroes, now you know why I don’t consider myself a Republican. […]
[…] even though Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge are two of my heroes, now you know why I don’t consider myself a Republican. 0 […]
[…] even though Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge are two of my heroes, now you know why I don’t consider myself a Republican. […]
[…] In previous posts, I’ve linked to some great speeches by some great Presidents. […]
диета для повышения потенцииаллен карр как легко похудетьсообщество худеем без диет и мученийдиеты для похудения от ларисы долинойбегать чтобы похудели ногитревожность у людей страдающих лишним весомс. п. семёнов хотите похудетьвинигрет при похудениедиета при собачем панкреатитецепт похудения с лимоном и медомонлайн диета для девушек до 14ведение дневника диета лишний вескак похудеть и остаться здоровой в 35 летдиета после обострения холецистопанкреатитакремлевская диета комментариидиета в послеродовой период для нормализации весакак очистить сначала кишечник а потом печень рисовая диетаправильное питание при раке молочной железызаговор на похудение когда идешькартофельно мясная диета
[…] *Though he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. […]
[…] *Though he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. […]
[…] He also explains that the real goal is liberty. And he favorably cites the other great President of the 20th century. […]
[…] He also explains that the real goal is liberty. And he favorably cites the other great President of the 20th century. […]
[…] *Though he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. […]
[…] found this historic video of President Calvin Coolidge, AKA Silent Cal, at Dan Mitchell’s blog. I love it! Mitchell believes Coolidge was the best president of the past century. After listening […]
[…] *Though he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. […]
[…] he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. jQuery('#lazyload_post_0 img').lazyload({placeholder: […]
[…] *Though he may not be the best President of the 20th Century. […]
Never read his autobiography. Adding it to my Amazon list.
BTW, those two words are “You lose.”
Since 1985 I’ve performed a solo history – Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words – the title spinning off one the most popular “Silent Cal” anecdotes. My format is the press conference; many are astounded to learn that Coolidge met more frequently with reporters than has any other president.
Increasingly the 1929 Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is recognized as among the very best post-presidential writing, second only to Grant’s Memoirs – who had Mark Twain for editor. It is about time!
The 30th President is on record in his Autobiography regarding Presidential Greatness. (Page 173.) “It is a great advantage to a President, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.”
Don’t forget Grover Cleveland. “…[T]hough people support the government, the government should not support the people.” – 1887 when he vetoed the Texas seed bill. Over 500 vetoes with only 7 of them overturned as I recall. This was before the FDR courts re-defined the “General Welfare” clause.
Coolidge is also famous for his speech on Taxation. “The wise and correct course to take on taxation is not to destroy those that have already achieved success, but to create conditions where everyone has a better chance to be successful.”
I would probably go with Coolidge but it is also important to remember how much Reagan had to go up against. Reagan took over AFTER both the New Deal and the Great Society and all of that stuff that occurred after Coolidge had already left.
Reagan had much greater challenges.
Also had the Soviet Union around to deal with and an America much more involved in world affairs.
Both were great though.
Coolidge has always (well, for most of my adult life) been my second favorite President. My favorite: George Washington, of course.
BTW, Shlaes is writing a bio about Coolidge.