Power, Women And Money

By Patrick Weadon

Recently, the headlines have been full of examples of politicians from both sides of the aisle using public personnel, resources and facilities for their own gain. Because of the nature of American politics, there is a tendency to believe that this is commonplace and that over time even the most honest public servants will take advantage of their position.

History shows, however, that it’s wrong to think that within every political soul is a crook waiting to cash in. My favorite example of the antithesis of the crooked politician is Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. Truman was no angel, but one thing that made him stand out was his Herculean effort to maintain his integrity.

Truman’s life before coming to the Senate, and later assuming the presidency after the death of one of our greatest presidents, could only be described as “average.” Other than his time on the farm, the only accomplishment he could point to was his service in the army during WWI.

After the war, Truman teamed up with an old army buddy and opened a men’s clothing store. Not only was the store not a success, but its failure would eventually put both men deeply in debt. Truman, despite the setback, eventually rebounded and, with the help of the local Democratic machine, won election to a Jackson County commissioner post.

As part of his duties, Harry was put in charge of modernizing the county’s road system. When it was completed, the Kansas City Star would note that it was “a distinct achievement that would be creditable to any county in the United States.”

But despite his newfound success, there was trouble on the horizon. Shortly after the project’s completion he learned that a legal judgment for $8,944.78 had been filed against him by his former creditors. In addition, in 1929 farm revenues were so bleak that his family was forced to take a second mortgage on their farm.

Luckily for Harry his luck was about to change. Due to the rerouting of one of the roads on the project, 11 acres of the Truman farm had been acquired by the county. According to the rules, the family was legally entitled to $1000 an acre or $11,000, enough to pay his debts and maybe avoid having to put the family farm in hock.

Truman, however, refused to take the money because it was his belief, given his position as the manager of the project, he must deny his family the usual reimbursement as a matter of principle. In short, Harry was more worried about being seen as an honest public official than in feathering his own nest.

The aforementioned story is impressive. Can you imagine any politician today on either side of the aisle having that level of integrity? The cogent point is this: Truman, when confronted with the question of using public resources, seems to have been more concerned with the perception of his actions than in their legality. Such appropriate introspection seems to be in short supply today.

Harry Truman once said that there were three things that can ruin a man: power, money and women. Truth be told, many of our elected officials have fallen prey to the aforementioned temptations. But if Harry was able to stay clean, our modern-day politicians should be able to as well. We can hope that we will all once again live to see the day when the term “honest politician” is perceived not as an oxymoron but the usual nature of things.