Thank Goodness It's Monday #292

WHAT ARE WE CELEBRATING …

COMMEMORATING …

OBSERVING …

ON PRESIDENTS DAY?

Presidents, obviously.

But what the heck does that really mean?

And what are we supposed to do about it, other than shop for bargain mattresses? (Does the emphasis on mattress sales come out of the “George Washington slept here” tradition?)

What, in part, prompts these questions for me is that bright and early two Fridays ago (February 11) I dutifully dragged my household garbage out to the curb for what I expected would be the regularly scheduled pickup.  

Arriving home on Friday night, I discovered there had been no pickup. Grumbling, I dragged the fully loaded cans back to their secure storage place to prevent the nocturnal critters from strewing the contents about.

Checking the town schedule I became aware that the Friday pickup had been postponed because the Public Works employees were observing their Lincoln’s Birthday holiday. (Abe’s actual birthday observance fell on Saturday).

And, BTW, they’re off again today for Presidents Day.

So, as I said, I’m wondering just what this holiday’s about?

The answer: It’s complicated.

In a nutshell: President’s Day (or Presidents Day, or Presidents’ Day – your punctuation choice) is the bungled attempt of the federal government – encouraged by travel professionals some say – in 1968 to implement a Monday Holidays Act.

Essentially the day’s a Washington’s Birthday observance with heavy overtones of Lincoln and, in some parts of the vast country, more than a nominal brush at any other Presidential notable you want to acknowledge.

So what are your plans for today? Being a federal holiday, federal offices, schools, post offices, and many banks are closed. But almost all private businesses and stores are open. That means that, for a good many folks, it’s business as usual.

If you’re not among the “working” today, I guess one sort of patriotic thing to do would be to go shopping to stimulate the economy and support your working-today friends and neighbors.

Or, if you have parental responsibilities and your junior achievers are available, you might involve them in something presidentially historic.

Or you might just have a day of leisure.

Or test your Presidential knowledge.

• How many presidents of the United States have there been?
• Can you name them?
• In order?
• How many former presidents are still living?

But hold on a TGIM minute. What if Presidents Day is not about a man or men (so far) but a concept of leadership?

TGIM Takeaway: Then we have something to celebrate.

While we traditionally imagine George Washington nobly turning down the opportunity to become King of America, the facts are, even before the lead-the-new-nation opportunity arose for General Washington, the individual who presided over the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary period and under the Articles of Confederation had the title President of the United States in Congress Assembled.

And guess what: That was often shortened to President of the United States. That job, however, had little distinct executive power.

With the 1788 ratification of the Constitution, a separate Executive Branch was created.

At its head: The President of the United States – straightforward and without qualification or limitation.

Now we’re talking “Executive Power.” Compared to the “President of Congress” designation, this presidential title was a major understatement of the actual role empowered to the office by the Constitution. But the deliberate choice of words can be understood as a purposeful effort by the Founding Fathers to prevent the head-of-state position from becoming monarchial, with the accompanying potential for abuse of such power.

A president's executive authority under the Constitution, tempered by the checks and balances of the Judicial and Legislative branches of the federal government, was designed to solve several political problems faced by the young nation and to anticipate future challenges, while still preventing the rise of an autocrat.

So today – Presidents Day 2011, when people around the world still valiantly strive for what American citizens have enjoyed for over two centuries -- let’s celebrate, commemorate and observe the Founders’ idea of a presidency as well as the individuals who filled the presidential position and continued to shape the job and the republic.

TGIM ACTION IDEA: Assume your “glorious burden.” That’s what the presidency has been called.

TGIM IDEA IN ACTION: Take an oath to use your “Executive Power” wisely, justly and democratically. Become the commander in chief … head of state … principle diplomat … and political leader of the constituents who elect to put their faith and trust in you.

And as you do, be guided and inspired by the best efforts and successes of the 44 individuals (5 living) who thus far have cared for our fragile democracy and steered us safely to this day.

And even if you can’t name them all in order and/or don’t celebrate … commemorate … or observe a Presidents Day ritual --

Enjoy the day. (And remember that regular curbside pickup resumes tomorrow.)

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373

tgimguy@gmail.com   

P.S.  “I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.”  George Washington wrote that sentiment in a letter to Henry Laurens, dated January 31, 1778.