Good Old Harry

A friend received the following from a friend so I can't vouch for its accuracy. But I sure like it. I heard him speak and the quotes in this essay sound just like him. If you can verify any of it, let me know. Thanks.

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When President Truman retired from office in 1952, his income was substantially a U. S. Army pension, $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.

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."

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."

Today, many in Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now clearly for sale.

Was good old Harry correct when he observed, "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference anymore. I, for one, believe the piano player to be much more honorable than many current politicians."

Too bad we can't come up with someone like Harry today.