Truman's Honesty

Truman grew up in a small town and in a family that honored ethics and moral values. Yet the people who controlled his political career in Missouri - the Pendergast bosses - were corrupt. There is some evidence that his career could have progressed faster if he had taken bribes. For example, he may have been allowed to run for governor in 1932. He also had to deal with corruption in the Democratic Party when he was nominated for Vice President The Trumans were always strapped for cash and even their family farm was foreclosed. Harry never declared bankruptcy; he paid off every cent he owed. His ability to size people up according to small town values helped him when he dealt with people like MacArthur, Stalin, and McCarthy.

Truman's Hatred of Corruption and Greed

Truman's first major speech in the Senate was against corporate greed. Over and...