My first option as a voter was Mr Truman. I never regretted it as I
have all others since.I have spoken with him twice and had the opportunity
to shake his hand once.. The experience, both times was as it might be when
you and I meet. I consider that he , probably, saved my life and 100's of
thousands others by ordering the dropping of the A bombs on Japan to end WW
11.I remember him as presidential patriot and not a democrat of the present
day variety.Ol "Giv em hell Harry was m ykinda guy.
Jack Plymale
Sam
I was just reading your blog and saw that you posted this. I was going to make a comment but I still don't know how. I was just going to say that I agree with your brother that Harry was a great president. He was such a humble man and very honest. I wish we had more honest people running our government . I am afraid greed will ruin this great Nation of ours if it alread hasn't.
Pat
HowPat is to click on Comments and proceed. Sam
My brother George is right. Harry was the last great Democrat- President or whatever. Thanks Pat! I hope my comment doesn't personally hurt you.
Sam
Subject:Harry Truman
A humble man who entered the limelight, took care of business,
then returned to being what he was; a humble man.
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as
many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other
42 Presidents. 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 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."
