Mount Rushmore is an impressive work of art.
Go there if you haven't. Truly impressive monument.
But this whole idea of "Who is on your Mount Rushmore?" of any given topic is tired and, frankly, stupid.
Inside the question rests an assumption that your choices are the best 4 in a certain field of endeavor — the President of the United States in the case of this Shrine of Democracy.
This does not reflect the reality of what's on the face of that mountain in South Dakota.
George Washington was a great president. Not the best ever, but indeed "the father of our country" and perhaps the best American to ever live. Certainly the most iconic. Deserves to be there.
Thomas Jefferson was decent, but his Francophilia even during the time of the Reign of Terror in France is a bridge too far to consider him great. (In case you're wondering, he was not the father of all those Hemings children, so put that objection to rest.) Borderline choice, but no major objection.
Theodore Roosevelt was a literal psychopath and ushered in the progressive era in our politics, which remains to this day. This is a bug not a feature. TR was also a self-proclaimed bully. I guess iconoclasm gets you a spot?
As it pertains to his fidelity to the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln was undoubtedly one of the bottom 5 presidents in history — perhaps the worst ever. He literally started a war against his own citizens and contrary to revisionist opinion, he did not "free the slaves." In fact, he was a virulent racist and a wretched man, but more words have been written about "Honest" Abe than any other president in history, so he's on the mountain like it or not.
What does making up a "Rushmore" mean, then?
It's a ridiculous exercise. Let's try.
Pick someone great but not the very best. But maybe he is the first great one.
Pick someone whose iconic reputation far outpaces the reality of his performance. Someone with a decent enough historical reputation where people won't make fun of you for putting him on the shortlist.
Pick a total blowhard who shares familial bonds with another viper who, as H. L. Mencken pointed out, had every quality that morons esteem in their heroes.
Pick the person with the most divisive reputation. Preferably a tyrant.
See why I don't like Mount Rushmore talk?
Now, it's a virtual guarantee that Donald J. Trump's visage will never be carved into the Black Hills, however, he'd be on my Rushmore in that "far right" spot if I got to re-carve it.
Trump is similar to Lincoln in some ways. Plus, I'll admit that my recency bias is in play.
Like his fellow Republican, Trump is clearly a divisive political figure.
Furthermore, both former presidents were once shot in the head.
As always,
Brian
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