Saturday, November 28, 2009

Harry Truman - Matthew Algeo

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.  (sic.   Illinois )

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!!

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