Harry & Bess
(This seems unreal.)
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952 his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You
don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong
to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."
As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!
I say dig him up and clone him!
Other than the rebuilding of Japan after the bombs I agree with all of his decisions.
ReplyDeleteHarry and Bess just down to earth folks. Once when society ladies asked Bess, can't you get the President to say fertilizer instead of manure? Bess replied, heavens, it took me 25 years to get him to say manure.
ReplyDeleteAnd guess what.... Hes a democrat!!!
ReplyDeleteWell said! President Truman was the last "non-profit" POTUS and hopefully, President-Elect Trump will be as well. Different circumstances surround both men but then again times have changed. Truman was one-of-a-kind.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents.
Uh...42 presidents before him? He was the 33rd, how does that math work?
ReplyDeleteHe was the old order democrat. None left in DC. That's why Trump was elected. No one should get rich being a public servant.
ReplyDeleteThe buck topped with Harry, so he said. Did not play the blame game.
ReplyDeleteThey don't make them like that anymore for sure!
ReplyDeleteWant to hear something sadder - Thomas Jefferson (you heard me right) lost his infamous home at Monticello - and the debtors took his furniture out on the lawn to auction his belongings - while he was 83. After the curator explained what had happened - I went up to her asked her how all of this could have happened - as Jefferson was responsible for doubling our nations size after negotiating the Louisiana purchase from France. She said that Jefferson neglected his own farm because he was out conducting the 'nations business'.
ReplyDeleteWhat-a-shame!