Harry Truman was US President, but he was a simple man who lived a simple life. One whom we can clone !
Harry Truman is best remembered as the man who succeeded the great Roosevelt and authorized the use of the Atomic bomb on Japan. The dropping of the bomb must have been an agonizing decision for Harry Truman as he must have been briefed that the Japanese had lost the war and were at the end of their tether.
The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
But though he took that controversial decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, yet a study of his life will show that he was a different kind of President. He probably took a lot many important decisions during his tenure as President of the USA like the 42 Presidents that preceded him. However a measure of his greatness can be gauged from what he did after he quit the oval office.
The Years after Retirement from Office
When President Harry Truman left this world the only asset he had 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 President Harry Truman left this world the only asset he had 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.
Pension
When Harry retired from the office of President of the USA in 1952, it is on record that his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. When Congress learnt of this they upped his 'allowance' an, later awarded him a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated as President in 1952, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them. It was a simple approach and a simple life.
When Harry retired from the office of President of the USA in 1952, it is on record that his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. When Congress learnt of this they upped his 'allowance' an, later awarded him a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated as President in 1952, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them. It was a simple approach and a simple life.
Corporate Offers.
After retirement Harry was offered corporate positions at large salaries. But his greatness lies in the fact that 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 as late as 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."
After retirement Harry was offered corporate positions at large salaries. But his greatness lies in the fact that 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 as late as 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."
An Example to Cherish
The modern trend is a lot different. Modern politicians and ex presidents don’t want to do a Harry Truman and have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, thus creating great wealth and riches. Today, many in Congress and in parliaments all over the world also have found a way to become quite rich while enjoying the fruits of their offices. It is a sad thought that some Political offices are now for sale.
The modern trend is a lot different. Modern politicians and ex presidents don’t want to do a Harry Truman and have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, thus creating great wealth and riches. Today, many in Congress and in parliaments all over the world also have found a way to become quite rich while enjoying the fruits of their offices. It is a sad thought that some Political offices are now for sale.
My take on Truman? Pals let's dig him and clone him!!
Indian politicians could learn a thing or two from the life of Truman. Will they ?
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