Wanted: clones of Harry Truman

Reading the following article of former US President, Harry Truman, the first thing that comes to my mind: 'How I wish we can find such honest politicians in Malaysia!'

Relatively, among our past and present PMs, Tunku stands out as the most honest, though he was flamboyant. I can imagine him being feted by opportunistic people but he did not take advantage of his position in enriching himself or his family.

In the Pakatan Rakyat, Nik Aziz comes across as the most honest and simple in his life style. There are many others who champion for truth and justice, transparency and accountability, and we have yet to test them unless and until they are able to take over at federal level. Some have already proven themselves at state level, despite having to face much obstacles thrown at them by BN state opposition leaders and civil servants, and bad publicity created by mainstream media. It is only at federal level when there is more power that we can judge better whether they could manage better than Umno-led Barisan Nasional.

"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 whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

I say dig him up and clone him!!"



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