General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: JFK worked to keep peace, bring prosperity for all. Others since 22 Nov 1963, not so much. [View all]H2O Man
(73,537 posts)It helped the poor, the middle class, and the wealthy. Young and old. Black, brown, red, yellow, and white. Male and female.
It is, of course, difficult to define the JFK of 1951-'63 in the context of today's terms. More, like many human beings, he held a wide range of opinions and beliefs, which were being translated in the actions of his administration, that could correctly be called "moderate." For that matter, on some issues he was conservative. And liberal in still others.
The value of his president, however, can't be defined in such terms. Nor can it be fully understood by the number of bills he pushed, or helped pass. That's not to suggest that legislation is other than extremely important.
It's of some value to also consider -- and not simple in the context of political definitions -- the growth of figures such as JFK and RFK. Robert, for example, started out politically as a frequently obnoxious conservative. But, more important is where he ended up: a mighty conservative liberal, or a mighty liberal conservative? As if those words matter.