The question was raised about where I have been

[Imperious Leader]

I agree with Garg, Lincoln was probably the best president after Teddy of course.

[Jermofoot]

@Imperious:

I agree with Garg, Lincoln was probably the best president after Teddy of course.

I’m surprised more people don’t say William Henry Harrison.

[Jennifer]

Oh, I can agree with William Henry Harrison.  What was his term, 3 weeks?  Not even really a good chance to get a nice sex scandal going!

Best:  Thomas Jefferson (basing this on my US History 1 and US History 2 classes, since I didn’t your history in public school.)
Next:  James Madison (saved the portrait of George Washington while the British burned Washington D.C. down.)

The rest, in my mind, are worthless.  I could hear an argument for Reagan, but, was he president, or was he playing the role of president?  He strikes me more as playing the role of the ideal president, talking to the people, listening to the people, but if you compare him to any other president that essentially tells the people to shut up and go away now that he’s in office, I’d say he wasn’t really president so much as actor playing president.

[Witt]

Polk was a great President.
He annexed Texas.
He also elected not to run twice. Not many have walked away happy after one term: power corrupts.

[Jennifer]

Perhaps.  Texas was a sovereign nation that choose to join the union, didn’t it?  So at least Polk would have done this without military force, which is a pretty good feat!

[Witt]

America has acquired territory without fighting, but I think most wanted Texas and were happy for war with Mexico.
Unlike we friendly pasta munching Italians, Americans do like a scrap.
Texas was worth it too: what a state!

[Jennifer]

Yes, and Thomas Jefferson bought enough land to double the size of the United States and paid off the loan within his term, I believe.  Someone purchased Alaska from Russia too, wow was that a good buy!  Gold, Oil, Pollock (fish for fish sticks), and what beautiful views!