Washington warned about factions. Lincoln warned about division. We mark their words with mattress sales and flag-themed cupcakes.
Presidents’ Day has become a long weekend with patriotic fonts. Washington is a mascot, Lincoln a slogan, FDR a meme, Reagan a bumper sticker. Pick your favorite and pretend history belongs to your team.
The stores are filled with banners promising freedom at 30% off. That’s as close as many Americans get to a promise kept.
Leadership once meant sacrifice. Now it means marketing. Presidents’ Day isn’t about remembering leadership. It’s about pretending leadership once existed.