When the Presidency was a public service position

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 were 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."

Give'em Hell Harry