John Adams Today

I just finished watching the eight part series on John Adams, one of the most influential founders of our great country. It was wonderfully produced by Tom Hanks, of all people. I hated to see it end. The last episode was sad as it portrayed the death of John and his wife, Abigale. John lived to the ripe old age of 90, which was unusual for those times when the average age at death was in the forties.

I wonder what John Adams would think of our country today. He was distrustful of politics and political parties, professing them to be devisive. He would likely deplore the unending presidential race on going now. He was right. They are devisive, but a necessary part of the political process.

The electoral college and the process by which presidents are elected needs to be changed. In Adams day they feared the uneducated masses which gave birth to the strange electoral college system. The number two vote getter then automatically became vice president, regardless of party. Wouldn't that be interesting if Al Gore became vice president under George W. Bush? What fun that would be.