Not so fast, Rob
Rob Christensen is right that Alexander Hamilton did much to create today’s America. But there’s another side to Hamilton’s coin – er, $10 bill.
Yes, Hamilton’s contributions were remarkable. He became one of George Washington’s most effective combat commanders in the Revolution. He became President Washington’s most trusted counselor. He became the son that the father of our country never had.
Hamilton played a key role in developing our Constitution. He was the first Treasury Secretary and gave us a “budget system, a funded debt, a tax system, a central bank, a customs service, and a coast guard.”
Above all, he believed in strong central government. Sometimes, too strong.
At one point, he suggested that the President (that is, Washington) serve for life. That the President be addressed as “Your Excellency.” And that the nation establish a large standing Army, ostensibly to resist a French invasion (highly unlikely), but which his opponents believed to be a tool for repression of the people by the elites.
Worst of all, Hamilton was a strong proponent of the infamous Alien and Sedition Laws, which empowered the federal government to imprison troublesome newspaper editors and political critics.
His overreach paved the way for his bitter rival Thomas Jefferson to unseat John Adams in the 1800 election for President.
It’s ironic how today’s conservatives embrace Hamilton, given his love for taxes, debt and a strong federal government.
It’s also ironic how liberals adore Jefferson, who hated the federal government, hated government spending and thought we should remain a rustic, rural society.
And, by the way, owned slaves. Hamilton opposed slavery.
Weighing all their faults and all their feats, we were lucky to have both Hamilton and Jefferson – at the same time, to balance each other.
Their battle over individual freedom versus strong government gave us the foundation of a great nation. And it still animates our politics today.
In the end, I come down with Rob. Keep Hamilton. Dump Andy Jackson. Put a woman on the $20 bill.
Not so fast, Rob
Rob Christensen is right that Alexander Hamilton did much to create today’s America. But there’s another side to Hamilton’s coin – er, $10 bill.
Yes, Hamilton’s contributions were remarkable. He became one of George Washington’s most effective combat commanders in the Revolution. He became President Washington’s most trusted counselor. He became the son that the father of our country never had.
Hamilton played a key role in developing our Constitution. He was the first Treasury Secretary and gave us a “budget system, a funded debt, a tax system, a central bank, a customs service, and a coast guard.”
Above all, he believed in strong central government. Sometimes, too strong.
At one point, he suggested that the President (that is, Washington) serve for life. That the President be addressed as “Your Excellency.” And that the nation establish a large standing Army, ostensibly to resist a French invasion (highly unlikely), but which his opponents believed to be a tool for repression of the people by the elites.
Worst of all, Hamilton was a strong proponent of the infamous Alien and Sedition Laws, which empowered the federal government to imprison troublesome newspaper editors and political critics.
His overreach paved the way for his bitter rival Thomas Jefferson to unseat John Adams in the 1800 election for President.
It’s ironic how today’s conservatives embrace Hamilton, given his love for taxes, debt and a strong federal government.
It’s also ironic how liberals adore Jefferson, who hated the federal government, hated government spending and thought we should remain a rustic, rural society.
And, by the way, owned slaves. Hamilton opposed slavery.
Weighing all their faults and all their feats, we were lucky to have both Hamilton and Jefferson – at the same time, to balance each other.
Their battle over individual freedom versus strong government gave us the foundation of a great nation. And it still animates our politics today.
In the end, I come down with Rob. Keep Hamilton. Dump Andy Jackson. Put a woman on the $20 bill.