Follow the Precedent—Do the Right Thing

But most important, doing the right things will ensure that we can keep the republic to which Ben Franklin referred
Recently it came to my attention that the vast majority of United States Presidents were nothing but place holders in the office. It is sad to realize that fact, but when seriously considered, that seems to be the case. Who, of all the men who have held that office were truly consequential?
George Washington was surely consequential; after all he set the precedent for every President who followed. He initiated the pattern for the Executive Branch and was instrumental in ratification of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Thomas Jefferson was consequential, if only because with the Louisiana Purchase, he doubles the geographic size of the United States. His pre-presidential activities must also be considered.
Abraham Lincoln was consequential because he managed to hold the Union together during the Civil War and, of course, because he ended formal slavery …