hopthecop Loc: salisbury md

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 32 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, too 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 (ie. 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!

We ought to have cloned him for telling it like it is and being frugal with our tax dollars!

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Yes, indeed!! I remember my mother telling me how sad my dad was when it appeared that he wasn't going to win the election. The next morning, Daddy was walking on air!! But you know, when the 'almighty dollar' is worshiped like we worship it in this country, one really can't expect anything much different.

great story! thanks for sharing it.

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

Truman was a failed haberdasher installed as president to take orders from the military/industrial complex.

He ruined the U.S.'s reputation forever by agreeing to drop 2 atomic bombs which incinerated hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese civilians.

He also created a situation in the Middle East which causes perpetual war by agreeing to the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

The military/industrial complex got their money's worth out of Truman.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Harry is going down as one the greatest president of the century and rightful so. His decision were almost alway right in retrospect as we look back. A truly humble man that had to make some difficult decisions. Probably the the greatest in the 20th century. Said what meant and meant what he said, did change or sugar coat it the next day. My favorite was his comment on Nixon. He talks out of both sides of his mouth, but it makes no difference as they are both lies.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

He is my favorite president of all time. Look at how the office has declined since his last term. Now it's a filthy dens of thieves and we have to share in the fault for allowing it to happen and continue.

hopthecop Loc: salisbury md

gee, if he didn't drop the bombs we would have lost a slew of young men on the home islands.....the Japanese leaders were warned about the destructive power of the bombs....they chose to ignore it...twice.......it took two doses to make them throw in the towel.......I'm not jewish, but I think they had every right to have a homeland....I will say it's a shame they can't all get along together....
you seem to be any angry person....most of the replies to this post were positive toward Truman....he had some tough decisions to make, and he made 'em....and he retired gracefully....

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

rickerb Loc: utah

larrypayne, you are a pain.
Who is your favorite president?

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Hopthecop done stated:
"After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them."
=========================================================You're so right... It was a '53 Chrysles New Yorker... I remember seeing a picture standing by the car on their way back to Independence...

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

The one who was returning control of our money supply to the U.S. treasury and demanding Israel open their nuclear facilities to international inspection a few months before his brains were blown out.

Clif Loc: Central Ca.

Things sure changed once TV gave us all a chance to see how handsome they were. Those well practiced honest smiles, the facial makeup to make them look nice under the lights. The speaches written by their paid speach writers with just the right amount of spin. They became actors, some were just better at it than others. I wonder what Harry or Ike would have had to say about some of the more recent?

hopthecop Loc: salisbury md

take a wild guess...................

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

It wasn't Bozo the Clown.

hopthecop Loc: salisbury md

close to it ho, I bet.....................

larrypayne Loc: Texas Hill Country

Have another shot of Wild Turkey . . .