"Give Em Hell Harry"

From the desk of:
Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

President Harry Truman

I was born the year President Harry Truman left office. I remember my father talking about President Truman and even as a young boy I knew he held great respect and admiration for the man. As I studied history I was a bit surprised that not more time was given to the study of this remarkable man of integrity.

Just the other day my father sent me something I believe bears publication here at Rational Nation USA. The mark of a great leader is one who leads by example and expects little in return for his leadership. Harry Truman was a example of a great leader.

I don't know who wrote the following, but whoever it was my hats off to you.

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 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!

I say dig him up and clone him!

To the above my father added this:

You may have seen this before but I think it is worth reading again, that is why I am sending on.

This man was vilified, criticized, demeaned called stupid even by some in his own party. Folks were scared to death when he had to take the place of our almost God Like president FDR. Yet he turned out to be just what our country needed at that particular time in history. He was a proud father, wasn't afraid to protect his daughter publicly. He accepted his responsibilities and did not blame everything that wasn't right on those preceding him. He was a student of history and as President he never lost sight of his place as a human being. Today's politicians could learn a lot from him although they wouldn't become rich from being president.

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" and "The buck stops here".

He was a truly great man among men and women. History will continue to glorify him as the years go by!! Give em hell Harry!!!

Regards…

I can't help but wonder if this nation will ever again be so fortunate to have a leader of President Truman's character and integrity. I can hope anyway...