Harry Truman - can we turn back the clock?

[thongd4me 69]

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. (sic. Illinois )

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a ####### house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

I say dig him up and clone him!!

[Danno 1,228]

Anyone know what is "polling numbers" were?

At the very bottom, if my memory is correct.

Who knows, maybe one day Ole Bush will be fondly remembered as well.

[rsn 135]

Anyone know what is "polling numbers" were?

At the very bottom, if my memory is correct.

Who knows, maybe one day Ole Bush will be fondly remembered as well.

When you wish upon a starrrrrrr, makes no difference who you arrrrrrre. Anything your heart desires will coooooome... toooooo.... yoooooou. C'mon everyone, sing with Danno!

Edited December 16, 2009 by rsn

[Danno 1,228]

Anyone know what is "polling numbers" were?

At the very bottom, if my memory is correct.

Who knows, maybe one day Ole Bush will be fondly remembered as well.

When you wish upon a starrrrrrr, makes no difference who you arrrrrrre. Anything your heart desires will coooooome... toooooo.... yoooooou. C'mon everyone, sing with Danno!

Pretty good song....but next time sing in-key will'ya.

B)

[scandal 951]

HST was one of America's truly great Presidents.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/anniversaries/healthprogram.htm

This Day in Truman History

November 19, 1945

President Truman's Proposed Health Program

On November 19, 1945, only 7 months into his presidency, Harry S. Truman sent a Presidential message to the United States Congress proposing a new national health care program. In his message, Truman argued that the federal government should play a role in health care, saying "The health of American children, like their education, should be recognized as a definite public responsibility." One of the chief aims of President Truman's plan was to insure that all communities, regardless of their size or income level, had access to doctors and hospitals. President Truman emphasized the urgent need for such measures, asserting that "About 1,200 counties, 40 percent of the total in the country, with some 15,000,000 people, have either no local hospital, or none that meets even the minimum standards of national professional associations. "

President Truman's plan was to improve the state of health care in the United States by addressing five separate issues. The first issue was the lack of doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health professionals in many rural or otherwise lower-income areas of the United States. He saw that "the earning capacity of the people in some communities makes it difficult if not impossible for doctors who practice there to make a living." He proposed to attract doctors to the areas that needed them with federal funding. The second problem that Mr. Truman aimed to correct was the lack of quality hospitals in rural and lower-income counties. He proposed to provide government funds for the construction of new hospitals across the country. To insure only quality hospitals were built, the plan also called for the creation of national standards for hospitals and other health centers. Mr. Truman's third initiative was closely tied to the first two. It called for a board of doctors and public officials to be created. This board would create standards for hospitals and ensure that new hospitals met these standards. The board would also be responsible for directing federal funds into medical research.

The most controversial aspect of the plan was the proposed national health insurance plan. In his November 19, 1945 address, President Truman called for the creation of a national health insurance fund to be run by the federal government. This fund would be open to all Americans, but would remain optional. Participants would pay monthly fees into the plan, which would cover the cost of any and all medical expenses that arose in a time of need. The government would pay for the cost of services rendered by any doctor who chose to join the program. In addition, the insurance plan would give a cash balance to the policy holder to replace wages lost due to illness or injury.

[thongd4me 69]

West Pointer on McArthur vs. Truman

The fact that MacArthur disagreed with the Truman

Administration's foreign policy caused him to disobey his orders

and try to seek a change over to his own policies. In disobeying

his orders, MacArthur violated the first duty of a military man:

to obey the orders of his superiors. A soldier can disagree with

policy within the command structure on a private basis but not

publicly. In the event that a soldier cannot carry out his

orders, he is duty-bound to resign. There were no half-way

measures to deal with insubordination without dire results

politically and militarily. In this case, Truman would lose a

brilliant military mind, as well as a popular figure, who, to

date had basically supported his policies. When conducting a

war, the Commander-in-Chief should not have to deal with an

unsympathetic field commander at every juncture who cannot uphold

policies in which he does not believe. Truman could not afford

to continue placating MacArthur politically or militarily.

[NickD 202]

Read that Nixson was receiving 10 million bucks a year for expenses after his gracious resignation from the White House. This was only twenty years after Truman, kind of says something about inflation.

Yeah, Patton wanted to invade the USSR and kick their butts completely off the map after the Germans surrendered, and MacArthur wanted to Nuke not only the North Koreans, but the USSR and China as well. Well he could have forgotten about the North Koreans that were supported by the Soviets who were also joined by the Chinese, if Patton got his way. Can only wonder if Patton's death shortly after WW II was really an accident, but here we go again as Reagan would say, with yet another conspiracy theory.

[thongd4me 69]

McCarthy Telegram to Truman

"I have in my possession the names of 57 communists who are at present in the Statem Department..."

Truman Reply - good one but "probably not sent" (draft)

{You should be able to click to enlarge both}

Truman was getting it from both ends - the country was tired of war and we were in Korea which was very unpopular, much like Viet Nam years later. At the other end was McCarthy, accusing him of being a

communist while he was actually fighting communism.

The McCarthy thing took off on it's own and for a few years the news was pretty much dominated by that.

Because it happened doesn't make it right, but Truman knew that from the start.

With 20-20 hindsight Truman comes out looking a damn sight better than McCarthy; if there ever was an

understatement.

[RBAL_TN 0]

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.

Silly me, I thought he only had 32 predecessors. Still he was a great man.

Edited December 16, 2009 by RBAL_TN

[thongd4me 69]

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.

Silly me, I thought he only had 32 predecessors. Still he was a great man.

I didn't make the original statement I only forwarded it; when I read it I wasn't counting.

(I guess my retired Harvard Lawer friend didn't check that when he was sent it either.)

[Danno 1,228]

HST was one of America's truly great Presidents.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/anniversaries/healthprogram.htm

This Day in Truman History

November 19, 1945

President Truman's Proposed Health Program

On November 19, 1945, only 7 months into his presidency, Harry S. Truman sent a Presidential message to the United States Congress proposing a new national health care program. In his message, Truman argued that the federal government should play a role in health care, saying "The health of American children, like their education, should be recognized as a definite public responsibility." One of the chief aims of President Truman's plan was to insure that all communities, regardless of their size or income level, had access to doctors and hospitals. President Truman emphasized the urgent need for such measures, asserting that "About 1,200 counties, 40 percent of the total in the country, with some 15,000,000 people, have either no local hospital, or none that meets even the minimum standards of national professional associations. "

President Truman's plan was to improve the state of health care in the United States by addressing five separate issues. The first issue was the lack of doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health professionals in many rural or otherwise lower-income areas of the United States. He saw that "the earning capacity of the people in some communities makes it difficult if not impossible for doctors who practice there to make a living." He proposed to attract doctors to the areas that needed them with federal funding. The second problem that Mr. Truman aimed to correct was the lack of quality hospitals in rural and lower-income counties. He proposed to provide government funds for the construction of new hospitals across the country. To insure only quality hospitals were built, the plan also called for the creation of national standards for hospitals and other health centers. Mr. Truman's third initiative was closely tied to the first two. It called for a board of doctors and public officials to be created. This board would create standards for hospitals and ensure that new hospitals met these standards. The board would also be responsible for directing federal funds into medical research.

The most controversial aspect of the plan was the proposed national health insurance plan. In his November 19, 1945 address, President Truman called for the creation of a national health insurance fund to be run by the federal government. This fund would be open to all Americans, but would remain optional. Participants would pay monthly fees into the plan, which would cover the cost of any and all medical expenses that arose in a time of need. The government would pay for the cost of services rendered by any doctor who chose to join the program. In addition, the insurance plan would give a cash balance to the policy holder to replace wages lost due to illness or injury.

I'm betting Ole Harry would not have supported any plan which forced every American to shell out hundreds every month to insurance companies for the rest of their working life.

Most of the problems that existed then have long since been solved either by changing markets or existing GOV programs.

There are millions of people in this country who choose not to buy insurance, though they can afford it, Harry would have found a way to reach the needy without stepping on their rights.

Big Gov is the problem, not the answer.

[scandal 951]

I'm betting Ole Harry would not have supported any plan which forced every American to shell out hundreds every month to insurance companies for the rest of their working life.

Most of the problems that existed then have long since been solved either by changing markets or existing GOV programs.

There are millions of people in this country who choose not to buy insurance, though they can afford it, Harry would have found a way to reach the needy without stepping on their rights.

Big Gov is the problem, not the answer.

Danno, you seriously don't have a clue about this country's history, do you?

Truman, who would be on my (and most liberal Democrat) short lists as among the greatest Presidents of the 20th century, was every bit as much of a 'big government' believer as his predecessor, FDR. Where FDR had the New Deal in the 1930s, Truman proposed his "Fair Deal" for the difficult economic times of the late 1940s.

Among his achievements:

The Housing Act of 1949

The Housing Act of 1949 was a major legislative accomplishment stemming from the Fair Deal. This led to the allocation of federal funds to go towards new housing projects, urban renewal, and more public housing. This spawned the growth of urban regions in the post-war United States. Much of the mass urban development that took place during this time can still be seen today. The Housing Act of 1949 has had a lasting impact on the United States.

The Social Security Act of 1950

The Social Security Act of 1950 extended the coverage of social security to elderly Americans and raised the minimum wage. These benefits appealed to both the middle-class and working-class Americans.

Expansion of federal funding for public housing, urban renewal, social security and the minimum wage. Gee, HST sounds like your sort of President, Danno!

[NickD 202]

Read that congress passed a law where GWB would only be protected by the secret service for five years now, then he is on his own.

Is the secret service really a secret? Or did I let the cat out of the bag.

[thongd4me 69]

Read that congress passed a law where GWB would only be protected by the secret service for five years now, then he is on his own.

Is the secret service really a secret? Or did I let the cat out of the bag.

Ah yes.

His value as a "significant national resource" decays with age like plutonium.

[Danno 1,228]

I'm betting Ole Harry would not have supported any plan which forced every American to shell out hundreds every month to insurance companies for the rest of their working life.

Most of the problems that existed then have long since been solved either by changing markets or existing GOV programs.

There are millions of people in this country who choose not to buy insurance, though they can afford it, Harry would have found a way to reach the needy without stepping on their rights.

Big Gov is the problem, not the answer.

Danno, you seriously don't have a clue about this country's history, do you?

Truman, who would be on my (and most liberal Democrat) short lists as among the greatest Presidents of the 20th century, was every bit as much of a 'big government' believer as his predecessor, FDR. Where FDR had the New Deal in the 1930s, Truman proposed his "Fair Deal" for the difficult economic times of the late 1940s.

Among his achievements:

The Housing Act of 1949

The Housing Act of 1949 was a major legislative accomplishment stemming from the Fair Deal. This led to the allocation of federal funds to go towards new housing projects, urban renewal, and more public housing. This spawned the growth of urban regions in the post-war United States. Much of the mass urban development that took place during this time can still be seen today. The Housing Act of 1949 has had a lasting impact on the United States.

The Social Security Act of 1950

The Social Security Act of 1950 extended the coverage of social security to elderly Americans and raised the minimum wage. These benefits appealed to both the middle-class and working-class Americans.

Expansion of federal funding for public housing, urban renewal, social security and the minimum wage. Gee, HST sounds like your sort of President, Danno!

I guess my humor in that post failed to present its self as I tried to weave it around my slanted POV.

Actually, before I posted I refreshed up a little on Ole Harry as I often do on various topics subjects that are raised here.

I always take note of things of interest I had not realized.

Sure we all know of the whistle-stop tour with the surprise election win, the desegregation of the military and the fair deal but one of the things I did not realize was he created loyalty checks to weed out Communists and dismissed thousands due to them.

<<<In 1947, Truman issued Executive Order 9835 to set up loyalty boards to investigate espionage among federal employees.[149] Between 1947 and 1952, "about 20,000 government employees were investigated, some 2500 resigned 'voluntarily,' and 400 were fired."[150] >>>

Even so "Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) concluded that Truman was "almost willfully obtuse" concerning the danger of American communism.[173]"

Seems the size of this real and present danger has been over shadowed by the theatrics of one Senator.

Back on point and in seriousness, I do rather doubt Truman would subject americans to the 4-5-600 dollars per month mandatory payment to purchase Health insurance from providers, with no limit on how high this price could (and certainly will) climb....especially with the suddenly increased customer base.

JUst imagine the effect this will have on small businesses, which is a huge part of the economy.

The unintended consequences of this are huge. How do you suppose that guy who cuts your yard is going to pay for this.... or the guy who wants to move from his

dollar an hour job, into a similar self employed capacity?