George Washington, in 1813--after he had already served as president--seemed very happy to leave Washington.

In fact, he declared: "An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

Oh, if only more politicians--very few would qualify as actual statesmen--felt the same way nowadays...

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"In his second inaugural address, [Franklin D.] Roosevelt sought 'unimagined power' to enforce the 'proper subordination' of private power to public power. He got it…"—George Will, July 8, 2007

Correction: Those words were actually uttered by Thomas Jefferson, upon leaving Washington.

But that really does not alter the central point.

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"In his second inaugural address, [Franklin D.] Roosevelt sought 'unimagined power' to enforce the 'proper subordination' of private power to public power. He got it…"—George Will, July 8, 2007

George Washington is a better example of someone who didn't have a burning desire to rule over fellow citizens. It's highly unusual for the leader of a successful revolutionary army not to assume power after the war. History's replete with examples of triumphant generals transitioning into dictatorial leaders.

After the British had been defeated a group of Continental army officers hatched a plot to storm the Congress in Philadelphia. Washington heard of the plot and persuaded the officers to abandon their plan. Had he given the slightest indication of approval the army would have installed him as ruler instead he retired to his farm.

To lend the Constitutional convention legitimacy Washington was the essential participant. The organizers recruited him to attend fully expecting he would become the first President. As he made the journey to Philadelphia local militia and townspeople turned out to salute him as he passed by. At the convention Washington was mostly passive as the role of President was being defined.

After twice winning Presidential elections by unanimous vote of the electoral college Washington voluntarily retired setting a precedent for future Presidents that would endure for more than a century.

At every turn where he had the opportunity to expand his power to dictatorial levels Washington declined.

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If Democrats were confident their nominee actually received more than 80 million votes they wouldn't have more troops occupying Washington, DC than Lincoln had defending the city during the Civil War. Not Joe Biden, Kim Jung Biden.

Unfortunately we cannot teach this to children, because Washington was not "Woke" And since he did not live up to the progressive ideals of the 21st century, all mention of him will be relegated to being the first slave owning POTUS.

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Political Correctness, is Fascism masquerading as manners - George Carlin.