A Meal with a President by Justin

A Meal with a President by Justin - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

The office of the American President is an incredible honor to hold. Very few countries have the ability to directly elect their leader in the way the United States does. Throughout our history we have had a diverse and talented group of men who have led us through times of peace and times of war. These men come from a variety of ideologies, parties and backgrounds, and yet all have contributed in one way or another to the history of this country. When addressing who my favorite president is or one that I would like to share a meal with, the answer is hard to find. I could choose the champion of conservation, Teddy Roosevelt, the calm, level headed hero of the Cold War, John F. Kennedy, or the influential legacy of Barack Obama. However, one president who particularly stands out in my mind is Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
FDR is an amazing example of the capability of what an American president can achieve. In office from March 4, 1933 through April 12, 1945, during a time the United States experienced a variety of monumental changes partially because of FDR’s influence as president. FDR ascended into the office of the president in arguably one of the most dire times in American history, the continuing of the worst economic crisis, the Great Depression. The America of 1933 was one of hardship and loss. Men, women, and children were left penniless and without work. In this era of utter desperation, FDR arose a champion of the people through his ground breaking policies in The New Deal. These polices and the ensuing programs, almost single handily saved the America people and the country itself from total ruin. His foresight and the dedication to his constituents make him my favorite president and one I would love to share a meal with.
Similarly, just as FDR led us through an economic crisis, he also led through one of the most horrific and deadly wars of this planet, the Second World War. In the face of evil and depravity which the Nazis represented, America had a strong, just leader who helped lead the charge against such hatred. FDR saw the chaos and threat to all mankind that the Nazis represented and mobilized America against them in order to save freedom for all. It is hard to imagine any other man to lead this great country in that time of war other than FDR. He understood the threat posed and surrounded himself with the best men and women the country had, knowing it was this combined work effort and intelligence that would help win the war. FDR not only led this country to victory but also helped allow all Americans to better themselves and succeed in the changing country. Prior to FDR, the US was not the super power it is today, but after his presidency we merged as one of the most influential and prosperous countries the world has ever seen. Without his great foresight and drive for the betterment of all Americans I doubt we would be anywhere close to the country we are today and that very reason is why he is the president I would most like to share a meal with.