An artist named Senator was very active for several years pasting up images of politicians, especially former presidents. Photographer Larry Jones found quite of few of his stickers and wheat paste around San Francisco between 2006 to 2010. Some of the art resembles postage stamps with their presidency number. A JFK is still pasted up on Townsend between 6th and 7th Street by the train tracks and freeway ramp.

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
– James Madison

James Madison was the 4th president of the US serving two terms. His nickname was Father of the Constitution due to his involvement in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The War of 1812 on Britain began and ended during his presidency. One battle come up to his doorstep destroying the White House and several capital buildings.His opponents called it Mr. Madison’s War

It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty.
-James Monroe

James Monroe attended William and Mary College and dropped out to fight with the Continental Army in the American Revolution. He studied law under Thomas Jefferson and held many public offices before becoming the 5th US President. He was a Virginia House delegate,senator, minister to France, governor of Virginia and Secreatry of State and War. His presidency was dubbed “Era of Good Feeling”. The Monroe Doctrine passed during his second term. Thomas Jefferson once stated: “Monroe was so honest that if you turned his soul inside out there would not be a spot on it.”

The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.
– Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was a one term president, elected in 1836. While he was initial known as the ok president he was dubbed “Martin Van Ruin” by his second run for office. He was an attorney by profession who used political appointments and financial contributions to secure votes and was considered to be a founder of the modern day political machine.

All the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
– William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison was the 2nd oldest president and first to die in office after only 32 days. He died of pneumonia in 1841. His grandson Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President.

Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts of meanness.

Fillmore was the last Whig president, affiliated with neither the Democratic or Republican parties. He assumed presidency when Taylor died in office. He served only three years in office before unsuccessfully seeking nomination by the Whigs to run for president.

Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood.
– William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was a one term president from a politicallty well connected family with an Ivy League education. He was a hefty man at 6 feet who weighted 350 pounds during his presidency. Prior to being president he was appointed governor general to the Philippines where he improved their economy and infrastructure. While president he proposed a corporate income tax and promoted the economic development of Latin America with his dollar diplomacy. He crowning achievement was being appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. His wife was responsible for planting the cherry trees in Washington DC that were a gift from the Japanese government.

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.
– John F Kennedy

JFK was the second youngest and first Catholic president. In his inaugural speech he inspired Americans with one of the most memorable presidential quotes in modern times “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” He served less than three years with mixed results when his presidency ended abruptly with his assassination in Dallas. His greatest domestic achievements were creating the Peace Corp and the Alliance for Progress. The Cuban Missile Crisis happened during his watch.

We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

Ronald Reagan served two terms. He was first an actor turned politician serving as governor of California for 8 years. That was a very contentious time in California with changing attitudes and the US involvement in the Vietnam War. He once said he did not leave the Democrat Party, it left him. He was the oldest person elected to president. During his presidency The Cold War was one of the more pressing foreign issues culminating with the end of the Berlin wall and a united Germany. We had the worst run away inflation when he assumed presidency.

On a different note Jerry Brown became the “moonbeam” governor, following Ronald Reagan’s tenure as governor.

Our forefathers fought for and to preserve democracy. The artist Senator honored them. November 4th is voting day.

About Larry Jones

Larry Jones has multiple photographic interests. See his street art photos and other subject matter. Follow him on Flicker
Flicker Westbymidwest
West by Midwest Photography