President's job no picnic

Dear Editor,

In 2016, fierce competition between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is heating up to a boiling point. Their goals is to an occupation they both dreamed of in addition to their other successful achievements. They want to be our U.S. president.

"The years of Lyndon Johnson -- Means of Ascent" by Robert A. Caro, published by Alfred Knopf in 1990 reveals all the political tricks used by Johnson, a former president.

Coke Stevenson, the 33rd governor of Texas, was a huge threat to Johnson. He was self-educated and very popular. Essentially, the direct opposite of Johnson, he drove miles in his old car and spoke directly to the people.

Johnson decided to travel by helicopter to deliver his speeches. Unfortunately, helicopters right after World War II could carry just enough fuel for 150 miles of flight. Places for them to land were limited.

Often, they hovered over a farmer's field. The chickens thought it was a big bird coming to get them.

In 1937, Johnson had become a U.S. Congressman. He voted against civil rights bills and legislation to end the poll tax in southern states. He favored segregation in the armed forces.

When he ran for the U.S. Senate in 1948, he opposed Harry S. Truman's civil rights program.

Suddenly, in 1963, after JFK was assassinated, he became our president.

Nonviolent civil rights demonstrations were taking place in Selma, Ala. Mounted deputies used bull whips and clubs on participants. Johnson did a complete turnaround and demanded an end to the bigotry and violence.

Our country entered the war in 1965. Fifty-eight thousand American soldiers were killed.

Crowds shouted at "How many kids did you kill today LBJ?"

By 1968, he was hounded everywhere he went. He returned to his ranch in Texas humiliated and defeated.

Being U.S. president is no picnic.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Neb.