Many people now want to replace the face on the 20 dollar bill. In a recent unofficial online poll called “Woman on the 20” 100,000 people cast their unofficial vote and gave their support for Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who helped free slaves and was instrumental in the Underground Railroad. Coming in 2nd was Eleanor Roosevelt (FDR’s wife) and 3rd was Rosa Parks. This is a great idea. We should have replaced Andrew Jackson decades ago on the 20 dollar bill. Jackson is responsible for genocide on U.S. soil against his own people. The Trail of Tears and the relocation of the American Indian killed 10’s of thousands of people, not to mention an orchestrated campaign to infect Indians with diseases such as Small Pox and breaking every treaty ever signed with them. Andrew Jackson is not only one of the worst Presidents we ever had, but one of the worst men who ever lived. He should not be honored by adorning the 20 dollar bill. But why should it have to be a woman who replaces him? The campaign was all about getting a Woman specifically on the 20. Now isn’t that being “inclusive”? The top three people who should replace Jackson on the 20 are Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan. My safety pick would be James Monroe. I’ll admit Reagan would be a tough sell; he is still a controversial figure over a quarter century after his presidency. But the prosperity and the confidence he brought to America is undeniable. Ike would make a nice choice but this would put three Generals on money, Washington and Grant the others. That might be too much military for some people to handle. We should all be able to agree on TR, after all the guy is on Mount Rushmore and he is the personification of the American spirit. My safety pick is very underappreciated in our history, James Monroe. He was the last of the Founding Fathers to be President 1817-1825, his administration was known as the Era of Good Feelings, no major conflicts and enrichment for a young country. So before we replace Jackson with a woman, let’s consider what these men have done – more than enough to be honored on the 20 dollar bill.
