It happens time and time again. The president of the United States is finally asked to leave the White House. Maybe he was impeached. Maybe he didn’t get re-elected. Maybe he served two full terms and it was time for another worthy candidate to fill his guilt-ridden shoes.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: Something happens to former presidents when they step off of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They are forever changed, and for many, a longing takes over, and many feel inspired to change the world. Is it because they are no longer burdened with the enormous responsibility of leading the free world? Is it because they have witnessed with their own eyes the suffering, the poverty, the millions of less fortunate souls in this world? For whatever reason, former presidents have a reputation for becoming incredibly philanthropic once they have left the Oval Office.
Take former president Jimmy Carter. Our 39th president was not exactly loved by the entire nation during his lackluster, one term presidency. However, his extensive humanitarian work has most definitely made up for any blunders during his years in the West Wing.
Carter established his own philanthropic organization, the Carter Center, the year after he left the White House. The center focuses on many issues, including both national and international public policy, conflict resolution, human rights and of course, charitable causes. These include worldwide health care and his campaign to eliminate the guinea word disease. Carter is also famous for his work with Habitat for Humanity, an international nonprofit organization created to build homes for those in need. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Noble Peace Prize for his “efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” We should applaud Carter for his deep dedication to helping those less fortunate, and we should realize that even if he wasn’t a productive president he is an admirable human being.
Then there’s former president Bill Clinton. Talk about a comeback. This man has reinvented himself entirely since the Lewinsky sex scandal of the late ’90s. Deeply ashamed and forced to impeach his presidency, it seemed that any positive publicity for Clinton would cease to exist. Oh, how wrong we were. Clinton went on to establish The William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on four critical areas: health security, economic empowerment, leadership development and citizen service. It also focuses on racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation. The foundation also has many sister chapters, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, which strives to “make HIV/AIDS treatment more affordable to implement large-scale integrated care, treatment and prevention programs.”
He also created the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together global leaders to discuss the challenges facing the world and how to solve them. Clinton is a man who should not be remembered for a publicized sex scandal, but for his charisma, passion and willingness to help change the world, one person at a time.
And last but not least, we have former vice president Al Gore. Okay, so he’s not a former president, but Gore has done more for the environment than any politician out there. He has single handedly made global warming awareness “cool” with his hit documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Many may disagree with Gore’s politics, but you have to respect a man for trying so hard to save the world.
In the end, it seems that all of these men were elected to be president for a reason. They have the ability to lead a nation and to potentially change the world. Let’s hope more former presidents get out there and use their power to help the millions in need. As Oprah always said, “There’s no greater gift than giving.”
