At this writing, the U.S. House of Representatives has been without a Speaker for the second-longest period in history. Once upon a time, the Speaker’s gavel was wielded by a man of strong convictions, who valued self-respect above position. In a throwback to those days, we remember “Uncle Joe” Cannon, Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1911:
“I would rather quit public life at seventy, and quit it forever, than to retain public life at a sacrifice to my own self-respect. I will not vote for any law which will make fair for me and foul for another.”
— Joseph “Uncle Joe” Cannon
House Rules
Speaker Joe Cannon left no doubt about who was in charge of the House of Representatives One of the most powerful political offices in the world is Speaker of the US House of Representatives. Elected by the Representatives, this senior member of the majority party has almost limitless authority to control the business of this…
Who Is Next In Line? Understanding the Order of Presidential Succession
When Secretary of State Alexander Haig attempted to calm the nation’s fears after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, it was one of those moments that made history. Unfortunately, it was the kind of history no one wants to be remembered for. With the president in emergency surgery and Vice President George H.W. Bush…
The Dangers of Celebrities Ignoring Their Fans
One of the problems with being a celebrity is having to deal with all the people who want to talk to you. Something as ordinary as dining out with a friend becomes a challenge when adoring fans keep interrupting the meal for a chance to speak to a famous person. Few people understood that better…
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