Former President Jimmy Carter Lives a Modest & Noble Life

Jimmy Carter is, to me, a true American hero.

A veteran of World War II, an honest, hard-working peanut farmer who rose through the ranks in politics to become Governor of Georgia and, eventually, to become the 39th President of the United States. 

Since then, many people (myself included) feel that he had the most successful (and now longest) post-presidency in American history. He established the Carter Center, where he helps resolve international crises, from troubled elections and political flare ups, to trying to help rural villages and tribes get safe water and fight diseases. He also famously helps build homes for underprivileged people with Habitat for Humanity. 

Now I will admit that I am not the most religious person in the world. But to me, this is a man who best exemplifies what a Christian is supposed to be. He does not deny science and, in fact, embraces it. He can be preachy - literally, he gives religious instructions in his church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on certain Sundays - but again, he seems to hold religious viewpoints that are sincere, and which in fact tend to be the most appealing aspects of religion. He truly takes the teachings in the Bible to heart. Contrast that with many of the more showy "followers" of Christianity, like the numerous televangelists, or the politicians who wear their religion on their sleeves. Many of those "Christians" live lavish lives, even often seem to love to show off their fabulous wealth, which is not at all what Jesus taught. 

In any case, getting back to Carter. He is an inspiring man. A member of The Elders, and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, which may actually have been overdue even at the time. And a quite prolific author, to boot, with something like two dozen books that h authored. What a truly impressive man. And on top of that, he is a literal goodwill ambassador to other countries, exhibiting the very best values that Americans have often displayed, which perhaps seem old-fashioned these days.

So be it. I have pretty much always admired this man, and am glad that he played such a prominent role for his country. My own feeling is that he will endure as a shining example of the very best values that this country could and should have, even at a time when good values have seemingly been on decline, probably for many decades now. 

Below is a link to an article about Carter, with "tips" on how to live as long as he has. Remember, he is 98 years old now, the oldest anyone who was an American President ever lived to. Part of his secret is not to get so wrapped up in any sense of grandeur, or to obtain any personal wealth from his having had the distinction of being President of the United States. Compare that to Reagan, or the Bushes, or Trump. Or even to Clinton and Obama, both of whom seem to really enjoy the wealth and status they obtained from their presidency, and wo live in very expensive homes and live their privileged, lavish lifestyles.

What an inspiration, and a down to earth kind of guy Jimmy Carter is. The one man who I was proud to call "Mr. President."

Picture of Jimmy Carter at a book signing in Harvard that I attended back in 2014.

This is the one and only selfie I ever managed to take with Jimmy Carter in the picture. This was as close as I could get to him and get a picture. This was from another book signing event in Ringwood, New Jersey, during the summer of 2015. 

 

 

 

 

This is the closest, and possibly the best, picture that I took of President Carter when I took my son to this particular book signing, back in March of 2014. My son was young at the time, just 8 years old. Yet, he says that he does remember this, for which I am glad. Carter actually spoke to him a little bit, and my son actually responded a little. President Carter also urged me to take good care of him just before we left. This was one time that I felt warranted pulling my son out of school for the day. Priceless memories, and he has some signed books by a former president as a lasting souvenir.

Former President Jimmy Carter lives in a $167,000 house and shops at the Dollar General Sarah Biren Freelance Writer Posted: December 15, 2020:

https://tiffytaffy.com/jimmy-carter-shops-at-the-dollar-general/?fZsM=zpSLHF