How nice for him.
Posted on 10/01/2005 2:31:21 AM PDT by lunarbicep
Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government "competent and compassionate," responsive to the American people and their expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these high expectations.
Carter, who has rarely used his full name--James Earl Carter, Jr.--was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn.
After seven years' service as a naval officer, Carter returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight years later he was elected Governor of Georgia. Among the new young southern governors, he attracted attention by emphasizing ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial barriers.
Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974 and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot. He chose Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford, debating with him three times. Carter won by 297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford.
Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product. Unfortunately, inflation and interest rates were at near record highs, and efforts to reduce them caused a short recession.
Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. To increase human and social services, he created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. His championing of human rights was coldly received by the Soviet Union and some other nations. In the Middle East, through the Camp David agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.
There were serious setbacks, however. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy staff in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran's holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter's defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.
Regards, Ivan
He's the best house builder we ever had in the White House.
There is a silver lining to this Communist dupe's disgraceful antics. His obvious anti-american leanings are opening the eyes of a lot of otherwise oblivious citizens to what the Democrat party has become.
During this dark period,so many more of us were just getting screwed.
Another in a long line of "worst" Presidents. I wish he would just shut his trap and live out his life under the radar in retirement.
Killer Rabbits, 20% interest rates, tin horn dicatators holding America hostage, and an interview with Playboy ("I lust in my heart.")
As a former Georgian, I too am beyond offended. However, I would add that he has not only disgraced his role as ex-President, but he also has disgraced his role while he was President and while he was Govenor of Georgia. I vividly recall being amazed when he won the DemocRat nomination on the first vote. In the end, they will probably create a monument to him at taxpayer expense......
How nice for him.
Abandon Ship!
The Iranian hostages, Middle Eastern 'peace', gas lines, and Desert One.
I was a senior in high school when he was govenor. One Easter we went to Stone Mountain for the sunrise service. We walked up the mountain and as we got to the top, he was getting off the lift.
He was a nice looking man with a warm smile--compare that to to his face today. Today I see the face of a bitter, angry old man. Seriously.
Failing to be re-elected must be the driving force in his life. At 81, he is the soreloserman of the Watergate/Viet Nam era. IMHO, he does not believe he lost the election based on the vote of an informed electorate. Dems never lose on merits, they lose because the election is stolen or the electorate is stupid.
I read an article recently where he actually took credit for the Reagan boom. His policies, not Reaganomics, were responsible for the upswing in the economy. Those high interest rates (17-21% motgage) were responsible for the boom in home ownership. I think the man is senile. He turned on Miller when Miller supported Bush.
When he came into office, gas was 50 cents a gallon at the Tenaco on 285 at North Peachtree. A gas war driving the price down to 25 cents per gallon was common.
Not long after the lines were long and gas was up to 1.00/gallon. Considering when I moved back to GA in 1998 gas was 88-1.00 gallon here, back then 1.00 gallon was alot of money.
I do not even claim him as a Georgian. I pass the exit for the Carter Center all of the time. I have never considered visiting it, not even when the Constitution (or was it the Declaration of Independence) was touring the nation.
Okay, let's say something nice about Jimmy -
"Although to the best of my knowledge he didn't cause it, Carter presided over the death of disco."
Yeah, it's also MY birthday today...unfortunately I have to share it with Jimma Carter, a fact the media never fails to remind us of every October 1st!
So much for astrology.
I will cut you some slack since you are a newby.
Please stop posting this crap!
I said please. This time.
JimmAH is 81 and still STUCK ON STUPID! ! ! !
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