Wet Bandits

Betty Friedan

Betty Friedan is well known for her book The Feminine Mystique (1963) which rebuilt the foundation for women in society.
She broke ground through her exploration of the idea that women could indeed find personal fulfillment outside of the their
traditional household roles. The novel became a sensation during her time and is still recognized today. Her work ignited a spark, beginning a social revolution and diminishing the long believed tale that all women desired to be housewives and homemakers. The idea that women could live a life outside of the household was unthought of and unheard of before Friedan shed light on the topic. She not only made this aware but encouraged women to escape the shackles of the typical housewife. With The Feminine Mystique starting a revolution, Friedan continued to fight through co-founding the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966. Friedan served as the institutions first president. Through her position in NOW she voiced the need and advocated for an increased role of women in the growing political atmosphere. In addition to her work with NOW and helping propel women’s role in society, she fought for abortion rights by establishing the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws in 1969. Abortion is still an ongoing issue in today’s society and Friedan’s work helped push the issue to the front line. Friedan nonetheless remained a visible, ardent, and important advocate for women’s rights who some dubbed the “mother” of the modern women’s movement. Since the 1970s, she published several books, taught at New York University and the University of Southern California, and lectured widely at women’s conferences around the world making her not only an influential figure in American society but also in the world. Friedan permanently transformed the social fabric of the world.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass is by far the most significant Civil Rights leader in history, with his legacy transcending time through his inspirational words to fight for freedom and rights for African Americans. His communication and voicing of his desire to free African American slaves who had been shackled down for decades, led to the Emancipation Proclamation brought about by President Abraham Lincoln. In addition, Frederick advocated for equal rights and opportunities for his fellow African Americans. As a young slave he taught around 40 other slaves how to read the New Testament despite efforts to discontinue his teachings. His spirits were always on a high. Douglass published “The North Star” and “The Frederick Douglass Weekly” to help propel the movement and make the issue more widespread. Throughout his lifetime he also produced many works such as “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” and “An American Slave” which helped uncover the horrors of slavery. Douglass’ fight did not cease at the end of Lincoln’s presidency and the end of slavery, his next hurdle was civil rights. He became involved in the civil war as a recruiter of African American soldiers, encouraged them to join the Union Army, believing that America would accept them if they were contributors to society. Despite his difficult life, his words will never be forgotten as the guiding voice that empowered African Americans to develop their skills and shape their future. Douglass’ ability to sway audiences and add voice to an ongoing movement allowed him to influence millions of Americans as seen in today’s pop culture through rap.

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was a first for Americans, by which I mean he was the first true commoner to rise up the ranks all the way to the top. He was born in the frontier of the Carolinas, 3 weeks after his father died. As a young teenager, he served as a courier for the militia at the Battle of Hanging Rock(1780), and was later captured in 1781 at the age of 14. When he refused to polish a British officer’s boots, he was slashed by the officer’s sword, leaving scars on his head and left hand. In 1806 he dueled with Charles Dickinson, who was known as an expert shot. Jackson let Dickinson fire first, hoping he would miss. Dickinson hit Jackson in the chest, and following the rules of a duel had to wait for Jackson to fire. Jackson, despite being shot in the chest, took his time to aim, and killed Dickinson. Later in the year he revealed that Aaron Burr had plans to create an empire to the West of the USA, quashing his plans. During the War of 1812, he was a part of what is known as the Creek War, in which he crushed the Indians who were raiding the countryside. From their experience regarding Jackson, the Creeks coined their own name for Jackson, Jacksa Chula Harjo or "Jackson, old and fierce." At his most famous moment, he held off the British attackers at the Battle of New Orleans, despite being outnumbered 2 to 1. Part of the men under his command were military units comprised of Africans and Muscogees(Indians), who were paid the same amount as white men. This wouldn’t become standard conduct for the nation until 1862, and even then that wasn’t in the South where Jackson did it. During certain periods, his men ran out of supplies, and Jackson paid for their provisions out of his own pocket. From his military experience Jackson rose to the rank of Major General. In 1819, he was one of the 3 original founders of Memphis, Tennessee, now a city of over 600,000 people. Jackson formed the Second Party System, which was characterized by high voter turnout, voter participation and loyalty. Jackson appealed to the common man, and was immensely popular. In the 1824 election, Jackson won the plurality of electoral votes, the popular vote and he was the only candidate to win states outside of his regional base. The only reason Jackson lost was because of the Corrupt Bargain of 1824. When he won the 1828 election, he espoused what is now known as Jacksonian Democracy; which allowed for greater democracy for the common man and republican values. Jacksonian Democracy inspired much in the following generations, populism,  progressivism, the New Deal, and the Great Society all can trace roots back to Jackson. In response to growing Southern desire for land, and the growing vigilante movement attacking the Five Civilized tribes, Jackson chose the best path possible, relocation with the Indian Removal Act. If Jackson had tried to uphold Native land claims, he would have tried to halt the American advance West. If one was to say that Jackson was a villain for allowing America to be what it is, then you have to list every single person, present and past, who has lived in the United States as a villain. In 1835, Jackson became the only president to pay off the entire National Debt, something that hadn’t and hasn’t happened again in the entire history of the USA. Later in the year, Jackson beat up his would-be assassin with his cane, after both of the assassin's pistols misfired, which many attested to being God’s will. Jackson came from being an orphan at 14, to becoming the President of the United States, if there was a person to define the American Dream, it would be Jackson rising from the bottom all the way to the top.

Thomas Jefferson

What can be said about Thomas Jefferson? Founding Father, social progressive for his time, redhead, violin player, 3 million subscribers on youtube and the host of the “Gingers for America” podcast, architect of both buildings and the United States of America. A man with incredible foresight, Jefferson not only helped shape and lead America in its early years, he predicted an America run by corporations years before corporate America would rise.   

One of Jefferson’s earliest contributions to America was the Declaration of Independence, which marked a pivot in colonial policy during the Revolution from Redress of Grievances to Independence. Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence may not be law today, but they stand as the ideal of what America should strive to be. His words established America as a land which would strive to accomplish the ideals set by John Locke, a nation where “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

During Washington’s presidency, Jefferson would serve as the first Secretary of State, and clash with the Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton over the formation of a national bank, which resulted in the formation of a two party system, with Jefferson leading his small government Democratic-Republicans against the Federalists.

The America Jefferson envisioned is one wholly juxtaposed to an America seen by the likes of Washington and Hamilton. Jefferson’s America was a country with a small government with little power, where the economy was economically driven by agriculture, not industry. To this day, Jefferson’s agrarian America is the one many dream of, even if we live in Hamilton’s America.

Because of the second party that Jefferson created, his election was the first peaceful transfer of power across party lines.

Jefferson also led America through its first foreign war since the nation had been established. Not only was it America’s first war since the revolution, it was also a war against pirates. Jefferson literally led America during a war against pirates.

Jefferson was the first president who actively expanded the United States. In 1803, he purchased the territory of Louisiana from Napoleon, doubling the nation’s size.

He could speak Russian… in French.

He was the most interesting man in the world.

George Wallace

“Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever!” Those words were uttered by a man who perfectly epitomized one of America’s more egregious mistakes.

George Wallace was a politician from the 1960’s and 70’s from, to nobody’s surprise, Alabama. He served as governor of Alabama for four terms as a democrat.

George Wallace’s first run for governor ended in disaster after he was endorsed by the NAACP and his opponent by the KKK. After the election, Wallace adopted a hardline segregationist stance.

Wallace’s segregationist stance was so hardline that when two black students were to enroll at the University of Alabama, Wallace literally stood in the doorway and refused to let them enter. It wasn’t until the Alabama National Guard showed up and he was ordered to leave that he stood down. This became known as the “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door.”

This trend of obstructing school integration continued as he attempted to prevent four more black children from enrolling in white schools. His attempts were in vain, as they were shot down by a federal court in Birmingham and the children were allowed to enroll in the school.

George Wallace was the face of segregation in Alabama. He fought for years to prevent integration, and insure that the races remained separate. Wallace is undoubtedly a villain on this fact alone, but upon a closer inspection of his past, he becomes even more evil.

When he lost his first governor race, during which he had been endorsed by the NAACP, he adopted a hardline segregationist stance. He had made a Faustian Pact, sold his soul to the KKK in exchange for winning an election.

Earlier in his life, he had fought for blacks and whites alike who had been left behind, and at the end of his life he sought forgiveness from Civil Rights leaders. This evil sandwich on decent human bread may sound redeeming, but it only means he knew what he was doing was wrong the whole time. The people who he had supported, and who supported him, people who needed a champion more than anyone in America, were sold out by Wallace so he could become governor. He may have supported them in his early and later years, but he was willing to turn on black Americans without hesitation in exchange for power.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was a man who truly changed not just America, but the world. He was a Republican who’s first political experience was being the governor of California from 1967 to 1975. As governor, he signed into law the first no-fault divorce legislation in the nation, in 1970. Reagan was an arguable leader of the sixth party system, leading the nation to the right. Social issues became more prominent, and most Americans agreed with him, leading to his election. Reagan was the first U.S. president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt, in 1981. As president, inflation went down from an average of 12.5% in 1980 to 4.4% in 1988. The unemployment rate declined from 7.5% to 5.4% during the same time period. Real GDP growth averaged 3.4% with a high of 8.6% in 1983, something we could only wish for today.(the high for the last 10 years was 4..5%) Reagan’s tax cuts are largely overestimated, as tax revenues over his two terms were 18.2% of GDP compared to 18.1% from the time period of 1970-2010 (1). The overall net effect of all Reagan tax bills was a 1% decrease in government revenues when compared to the Treasury Department revenue estimates from the Administration’s first post-enactment January budgets, according to the Treasury department’s “Revenue effects of Major Tax Bills”(2). In fact, Nobel Prize winning economists; Milton Friedman and Robert Mundell argue that Reagan’s tax policies “invigorated America’s economy and contributed to the economic boom of the 1990’s”(3). In foreign affairs, he made the Soviets spend away their economy with large military spending increases, while also negotiating treaties with the USSR. This comulated with the INF treaty in 1987, which according the US Department of State, “requires destruction of the Parties' ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, their launchers and associated support structures and support equipment within three years after the Treaty enters into force.”(4). Regarding the Supreme Court, Reagan appointed the first woman to the Court, Sandra Day O’Connor. In the words of Margaret Thatcher, “Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired"(5). Truly, Reagan changed the world for the better.

1. Sahadi, Jeanne (September 12, 2010). "Taxes: What people forget about Reagan". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
2. Tempalski (2006), Table 2
3. "Reagan's Economic Legacy". Business Week. June 21, 2004. Archived from the original on June 8, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
4. “Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty).” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, www.state.gov/t/avc/trty/102360.htm.
5. "Reagan and Thatcher; political soul mates". MSNBC. June 5, 2004. Retrieved January 8,2008.

Dwight  D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower greatly influenced history as both a military commander and a two-term U.S. president. As a five-star general, he powerfully led the Allied forces to victory in World War II. As a president, he worked to rebuilt the nation’s economy, improve U.S.policy towards communism, and incorporate “new deal-like” programs. Truman’s military buildup caused concern with balancing financial resources, so Eisenhower found success through another strategy that centered on less military spending and deregulation. His fiscal economic policy greatly improved life in the 50s for the average American and unemployment rates remained low. Further, Eisenhower was able to reduce Truman’s proposed expenditures by $5 billion and cut the national deficit nearly in half. The Eisenhower administration also took new measures to combat communism with his New Look policy, which was based on the concept of massive retaliation and deterrence. The Eisenhower Doctrine confirmed U.S. commitment to protect the Middle East from the “red menace”. As for within the country, Eisenhower was able to eliminate McCarthyism through refusing to release notes of a meeting between him and McCarthy, and refusing to allow administration to testify at his hearings.

Eisenhower was also greatly influential in realm of civil rights, proclaiming that “there must be no second class citizens in this country”, and ultimately signed in the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This piece of legislation established a Civil Rights Commission and was the first occasion since Reconstruction that the federal government took significant legislative action to protect civil rights. He later passed the Civil Rights Act of 1960, which allowed the government to inspect local voter registration polls and introduced penalties for those who obstructed someone’s attempt to vote. Further, he initiated the largest public works project in history - the Interstate Highway Act of 1956. This allowed for easier mobilization of troops and resulted in a movement to the suburbs. Eisenhower is also credited with keeping the nation at peace by bringing an end to the Korean War. With his military reputation, he successfully threatened North Korea, South Korea, and China with nuclear attack if they didn’t sign an armistice. With the use of his “hidden hand”, Eisenhower was able to solve several of the nation’s issues quietly, avoiding any political heat. His legacy is also characterized by his farewell address, in which he cautions the country “in the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” His words foretold of an era that would continue into the 21st century. The United States spends over $610 million on our military, which is more than the next eight nations combined.

The Wright Brothers

The Wright Brothers are famous for creating the first working aircraft controls that allowed flight to be possible. Their three-axis-control allowed the pilot to steer the aircraft and maintain the balance of the craft while doing so. The Wright Brother claimed the invention of the aerodynamic controls for the plane rather than the plane as many others were working on creating planes already. This invention is still prominent today as planes around the world work from building off the Wright Brothers original design. The Wright Brothers did many things that made them amazing entrepreneurs and good role models for entrepreneurs of today. They tested everything themselves countless times before finalizing which allowed them to put out the best possible designs and avoid issues. Instead of having other people do the work for they, they physically worked on everything they did so they understood the conditions in the work environment. With these two ideal combined they made bright decisions while constantly adapting their designs. Finally the Wright Brothers were not frightened by any of their competition, which allowed them to approach their tasks with confidence. In addition, they were the inspiration for the hit blockbuster film, Disney’s Planes, and they featured in 1986 hit film Top Gun. As the inventors of airflight systems, they created controls that are used today to transport people and goods all across the world quickly. Without the invention of Planes and flight systems our world would be kinda lame because planes are cool and let us move things around very quickly. Imagine not being able to go on vacation without driving for multiple days or sitting on a big lame boat - Wright Brothers. Imagine all those thousands of jobs in the planes industry - Wright Brothers. Imagine not getting your Amazon package within a few days - Wright Brothers. At the end of the day, you can’t live without the Wright Brothers, and you can’t say that for anyone else.

John Marshall

John Marshall was an American politician, Founding Father, and fourth Chief Justice of the United States. He served in the House of Representatives from 1799 to 1800 and lead the federalist party in Virginia. Also from 1800 to 1801 he served as secretary of state under John Adams. After all of this did Marshall finally become the longest serving chief justice and the fourth longest serving supreme court justice, serving as chief justice under the Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe,  Quincy Adams, and Jackson Administrations.

John Marshall did participate in major foreign affairs. John Marshall played an active role in the XYZ Affair. President Adams sent John Marshall over with Elbridge Gerry to help Pickney in the negotiations between France and the U.S. to end the seizers of American ships. When John Marshall wrote to congress about France’s bribes he retracted the three names of the agents, just using the letter X,Y, and Z. This letter led to the undeclared war between U.S. and France on sea for two years, a war which Marshall will also help negotiate to help end. John Marshall, appointed by Adams as secretary of state on June 6, 1800,  help negotiate the ended of the quasi-war between the U.S. and France that has been going on for two years, by directing the Convention of 1800.

As supreme court chief justice John Marshall played a significant role in shaping America’s legal system. John Marshall in Marbury v. Madison (1803) created the most important power of supreme court, “Judicial Review”. This is the principle that the supreme court had the last word on the question of constitutionality. This single principle established the Judicial Branch as a co-equal branch, on par with the Executive and Legislative Branch. He further increased the power of the supreme court when in 1821 he asserted the right of the supreme court to review the decisions of the state supreme court. One of John Marshall’s most famous cases as supreme court chief justice, Dartmouth College v. Woodward(1819), Marshall, with a 5-1 majority ruled that states can’t encroach on contracts. Sense states can’t pass laws to impair charters, business became vastly more secure allowing for increase in investments and growth in the economy. In Gibbons v. Ogden(1824) he stated that the constitution conferred on congress alone the control of interstate commerce.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

FDR, agree or disagree with his reforms, lead Americans through the Great Depression and change the foundations of the federal government forever. FDR, although failed to cure the ills of the Great Depression, saved the U.S. from complete economic collapse and laid the foundations of a healthy American society.

FDR’s reforms gave the federal government a more permanent and powerful role in the American economy. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) gave government public works jobs to about 3 million Americans. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was created in 1934 to tackle the housing problem during the great depression. This agency regulated mortgages and gave small loans to companies for improving housing and making new housing. The FHA still plays a large role in today’s Housing Market. The Social Security Act of 1935 is FDR’s most famous of the ABC reforms and today's second largest expenditure. This provided federal-state unemployment insurance. Some retired workers would also receive regular payments from the central government. Today Social Security has gotten so massive that it’s eating up roughly 969 billion dollars a year, and that number is only increasing. The Glass-Steagall Banking Reform Act, is one of the most important banking reform acts in U.S. history, and is still relevant today. This insured individual deposits of up to 5,000 dollars, with the goal of ending the epidemic of bank failures. This was a centerpiece of American banking and was only partly repealed in 1999, with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. People held this repeal partly responsible for the 08-09 recession and piece of Glass-Steagall still survive today.

FDR also had a big role in foreign affairs as well as domestic. The London Economic Conference in 1933 was a meeting of delegates from multiple nations to coordinate a attack of the global depression. This conference. was destroyed by Roosevelt, feeling that it would hurt domestic recovery. Critics of this decision argue that this plunged the rest of the world, including the U.S. deeper into economic depression which help lead to the NAZI regime in Germany. The Lend-Lease Bill would send weapons to the allies, especially Russia, to help on the war front. In the Yalta Conference, Roosevelt help create with Churchill and Stalin post war Europe and the United Nations. In the Bretton Woods Conference 1944, Roosevelt established the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and the Word Bank with western allies.

FDR lead a incredible presidency through the Great Depression to the end of the Second World War. His reforms during the great depression like the Social Security Act and the FHA still play a major role in today’s American. Foreignly he lead America though the Second World War and help establish post war Europe. His unprecedented four term presidency which lead to the 22 amendment, limiting the presidency to only two terms.



Final Arguments:

Betty Friedan rebuilt the foundation for women in society through The Feminine Mystique and the creation of the National Organization for Women. Friedan helped propel women's role in society continuing the long fight for equality. Friedan’s advocating for an increased role of women, especially in the growing political atmosphere dubbed her the “mother” of the modern women’s movement.

Frederick Douglass is by far the most significant Civil Rights leader in history, with his legacy transcending time through his inspirational words to fight for freedom and rights for African Americans. Frederic’s honesty and heartfelt speeches allowed people to feel his story and capture the true life of a slave. Douglass’ ability to sway audiences and add voice to an ongoing movement allowed him to influence millions of Americans, as he is still relevant in today’s younger generations as seen in pop culture and rap music.

Jackson was a man who led the American Nation, for the common man. He attacked the Bank that had made the Panic of 1819 drastically worse, stood strong during the Nullification Crisis by taking a nationalistic pro-union stance and allowed Americans to continue their ever Western expanse. Jacksonian Democracy inspired much in the following generations, populism,  progressivism, the New Deal, and the Great Society all can trace roots back to Jackson.

Reagan’s policies made the economic boom in the 80’s and 90’s possible. Following Reagan’s tax cut in 1981, more than 14 million new jobs were created over five years; incomes grew by over 22 percent for the next seven years; and the economy grew by over 3.5 percent, on average, for the rest of the decade. And as Margaret Thatcher said, "Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired."

Eisenhower brought peace to the nation through his miltitary successes and presidential achievements, lessening social unrest by effectively handling  international crises such as the Suez crisis and the Korean War, eliminating destructive communist forces like McCarthyism, and reshaping the American economy. According to the New York Times, he “was the only President in the 20th century to have presided over eight years of peace and prosperity, as well as a balanced budget and an economy with negligible inflation” (Donovan). Despite any failures he had, Eisenhower had a substantial impact on this country.

Supreme court chief justice John Marshall played a significant role in shaping America’s legal system. John Marshall in Marbury v. Madison (1803) created the most important power of supreme court, “Judicial Review”. This is the principle that the supreme court had the last word on the question of constitutionality. This single principle established the Judicial Branch as a co-equal branch, on par with the Executive and Legislative Branch.

FDR created some of the most important domestic reforms in American history. Legislation like the Social Security Act is highly important in today’s American society, also creating massive debt. The Federal Housing Administration is still important in today’s housing market. He lead America through the Great Depression and WW2 making him the one of the most influential Americans in history.

Jefferson was the third president, and embodied the dream of a rural, yeoman farmer that America dreams of. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, led America through a war, and doubled the size of the US. He was the voice of the common man in his time.

George Wallace’s words “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” still echo in our minds and hearts. He embodied everything we are ashamed of, everything we try to hide from. He may not be a cause of evil, but he is a symptom.