[eweissenbach]

Hope it doesn't have to get moved to political

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 (cf. 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!

[DonH57]

If you are ever in Key West I highly recommending touring the "Truman Little White House". It was very interesting and informative.

[rubicon]

eweissenbach: When he was just a young politician starting out Harry S.Truman came to the aid of a black gentleman in his home town, not a very popular thing to do back then especially in a southern state. He was a humble man who never violated his principles and beliefs and accepted accountability for his actions and decisions. He has been in my eyes , for a very long time, one of the few good presidents since Abe Lincoln

This begs the question why can't this country continue or once again produce this caliber of leadership? Where have all the good intelligent and ethical people gone? Does our political machination destroyand/or contaminate good people before they or their ideas have had a chance to mature ? Or is our society as a whole so contaminated now that only those with the desire to possess power and control and with the funds to do so prevail in our political system....Perhaps both?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by rubicon

eweissenbach: When he was just a young politician starting out Harry S.Truman came to the aid of a black gentleman in his home town, not a very popular thing to do back then especially in a southern state. He was a humble man who never violated his principles and beliefs and accepted accountability for his actions and decisions. He has been in my eyes , for a very long time, one of the few good presidents since Abe Lincoln

This begs the question why can't this country continue or once again produce this caliber of leadership? Where have all the good intelligent and ethical people gone? Does our political machination destroyand/or contaminate good people before they or their ideas have had a chance to mature ? Or is our society as a whole so contaminated now that only those with the desire to possess power and control and with the funds to do so prevail in our political system....Perhaps both?

Many good people are probably very turned off by all the things they lose when running for President of the United States like privacy, money from campaigning, control over many things, etc.

Even though probably not that accurate to the facts about Sarah Palin and her pick as VP, HBO's Game Change depicts what happens when the media gets focused on someone who gets involved running for high office in the US.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by DonH57

If you are ever in Key West I highly recommending touring the "Truman Little White House". It was very interesting and informative.

You are right - been there!

[coralway]

I doubt Truman would last very long in today's environment.

The world's a lot different now than it was then - not only externally, but internally.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by DonH57

If you are ever in Key West I highly recommending touring the "Truman Little White House". It was very interesting and informative.

I was at Truman's Little White House 2 years ago when visiting Key West. A must see if you are ever in Key West. Up to about 7-8 yrs. ago, the Little White House was still being used on occasion for state events/international conferences. Much more interesting than Ernest Hemingway's house - IMHO.

[Schaumburger]

Ed, I agree with you 100%

[Uncle Pepe]

I pretty much agree with you. Most politicians nowadays think they own this country.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by coralway

I doubt Truman would last very long in today's environment.

The world's a lot different now than it was then - not only externally, but internally.

coralway: Truman was a man of ethics and of accepting accountability those are deep seated traits. I have had the pleasure to meet people through the country who would never betray their ethical and moral beliefs for anything or anyone. This leaves me to question if voters are focusing on these traits equally to the issues at hand. I mean don't they go together. a politician can promise you anything but without ethics and morals will dismiss such promises as the means to an end.

I opine you decide

[2BNTV]

ED:

I agree with you. Truman was an honest straight shooter who did many things the right way.

Have you read, Truman by David McCoullough? It's a thousand pages but a page turner. Fascinating account of Truman's life.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

ED:

I agree with you. Truman was an honest straight shooter who did many things the right way.

Have you read, Truman by David McCoullough? It's a thousand pages but a page turner. Fascinating account of Truman's life.

No, but I have read Truman by Margaret Truman. Obviously a positive spin, but she was able to reveal inside things that no one else would know about.

[mfp509]

Wow - this is interesting. This is the type of thing I enjoy reading. Thanks. I didn't know about the Historical site in Key West. Had gone to Hemingway House but will look this up when I am there again.