Failed policies, failed hopes: RIP Jimmy Carter

 

"AVE ATQUE VALE"

Flags across Patria are flying at half-mast today to mark the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter at age 100. Carter’s admirable record of humanitarian work in the 44 years since Ronald Reagan sent him back to Plains, GA is a matter of record. As an elder statesman, Mr. Carter was second to none. Nonetheless, he goes down in the annals of the United States presidency as a failure, overmatched in office and not up to the job. Wasn’t the hostage crisis such a blast? Particularly his bungled attempt to rescue the hostages in Iran. Failed polices, failed hopes all around. By any yardstick, there was crappiness, if not outright failure during the Carter years: crappy cars, crappy fashions, crappy economy, crappy music, even crappy sports for fans of certain teams. Of course, Mr. Carter was not responsible for the crappy cars or music during his administration, but when it comes to “crappy sports” he will not be forgiven for his misguided decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics. 

The Carter Administration (Jan. 20, 1977-Jan. 20, 1981) is forever intertwined with Patria’s awful Forty-First Congress (XLI Con. Pat. June 30, 1978-June 28, 1982). Four failed and wasted years of stagnation, foundering, malaise and little in the way of growth, both in the USA and in Patria. 

At some point in 2025, Patria Post will issue a Jimmy Carter memorial stamp. In the meantime, here’s the 2025 definitive (regular issue) depicting a well-known and well-loved scene from the Ramayana.