History Buffs

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We will present articles on the People, Places, and Events that have made These United States of America the Greatest Nation that has ever existed, come join us as we tra

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oldmarinesgt5

October 2, 2025 11:06 am

Harry Truman, A Different Kind of President. Love him or hate him, Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any o... View MoreHarry Truman, A Different Kind of President. Love him or hate him, 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 passed away was the house he lived in, located 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 agents 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 have also found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (sic. Illinois) He was once chased by Porta Rican assassins while being protected by his Secret Service agents. 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!! I think we have another Harry Truman in the form of Donald J. Trump only bigger.

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