A bit oF History with Perspective

Okay, so I am not much of a history buff, but my grandfather was. He had every book written about every president in his library, and while I was too young at the time to admire his interest, I now look back and wish I had more time to sit and listen to his wisdom. One thing I knew for sure from listening to him was that 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 in this one house their entire lives. A side note, and interesting fact about the "Summer White House" as it was called, there are rumors that Harry Truman has been seen walking around the house even today... oooh spooky. When he retired from office in 1952, his only income was from a U.S. Army pension which was only $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.

Today's politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on their positions, becoming quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Good ole 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!!