When my younger daughter was taking AP US History, these presidents were referred to as "The Forgotten Presidents". As a general rule, they were among the best presidents. Those who govern least govern best.

One of your best!
Thanks for spreading truth, Robert.

I wonder how many people drawn to elected office would like to be a figure no one remembers because gov't wasn't doing that much and everyone was let alone to prosper.

The Magnificent Mr. Gore nailed it again. If you were fuzzy in the slightest about what a properly run economic system looks like, read this essay. And most importantly where he speaks of the populace having been under the mixed economy constantly moving left until they accept it as the way things are. We now get all excited if the government moves the ship of state one degree to the right.

What? Do you mean there was a time when the USA lacked rulers who would not wipe our noses and powder our behinds?
No wonder Horace Greeley said "Go west, young man, go west," during 1865.
All the little snowflakes needed to go find safe spaces to take their coloring books to.

There is supposedly an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." (This might be apocryphal, I don't know.) This article suggests a variation: "May your President be a great one."

Thanks for the interesting essay, Robert. As a right wing extremist I can only see a utter bankruptcy of the the federal govt to get back to those ideals of really small govt. I was hoping that Trump would ask congress to defund many of the federal agencies, well that didn't happen. The Pentagon didn't need more money. Congress should pass a bill that would force the military divert funds from unnecessary and stupid projects. Also, have contractors stop being stupid and greedy. Entitlement programs should stop. But that won't happen, bankruptcy must happen and no money for congressmen, senators and staff!

I always enjoy your essays and the way you address complex issues. It takes a special mind to be able to wade through all the clutter and release the truth. The theme of the American greatness nearly being realized in the period after the civil war and up to the Wilson administration is one that Yaron Brook has spoken about often and it is truly amazing how much progress was accomplished in that period. You would think that we would have learned something from it but we haven't. The opposite is the various experiments in socialism which have failed in every instance but we want to keep trying it over and over. You would think we would want to try that capitalism thing again by now.

Bravo ,
Mr. Robert Gore excellent essay , and the kind of history that should be taught to all. Your corelations make it easy to see the cause and effect.
Fed Government intrusion into the Education of US ensures a different lesson is taught.

I have often wanted to elect an official who did NOT want to create new legislation but only wanted to get rid of the handcuffs of existing laws.