Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
...Although this American has no issue with genuine titles that are rightly bestowed. We could do with a lot more tradition, INMHO. George Washington, for example, saw nothing wrong with heraldry and the American Republic, and frequently displayed his personal arms on everything from his table service to his coach.

T.
Not all of Washington's contemporaries held that view. We have an opinion written by collateral ancestor of mine, one of the Virginia Maurys, who definitely held the view that coats of arms, crests and such had no place in a republic. Jefferson also decried national holidays, since at the time most were associated with events in a royal family.

Personally, I think lifetime honors, such as the UK's orders, knighthoods and life peerages are a good thing. It's good to recognize people who have made significant contributions to society (and not necessarily significant monetary contributions to the party in power. )