"You can't get rich in politics unless you're a crook."
by:
Harry S. Truman
(1884-1972), 33rd US President
Source:
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Reader comments about this quote:
 -- SY SIDEBOTHAM, BEDFORD NH      
Well said by a crook himself
 -- Ben, Orem, UT     
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     -- Mike, Norwalk      
    "in" politics or "through" politics is becoming the only way to get rich... and yes it is crooked
     -- Scoot4par, Ruston     
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    LBJ is a prime example.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    Politicians have been the same throughout the history of mankind.
     -- Jon W, San Diego     
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    Or by writing a book. Ben can you defed or explain calling Truman a crook. I am unfamiliar with that part of his history. Truman was generally seen as a straight shooter, honest, and forthright guy.
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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    I've always noticed in amazement of how many in politics enter the political field, and within a short time, have a net worth into the millions, especially considering how little the actual offices pay. Maybe we should start taxing them with a windfall profits tax!!
     -- Michelle, Chippewa Falls     
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    And since only millionaires can run for president, the bulk of their income derived from government contracts and services (Cheney comes to mind), then it seems that only crooks can become president! Politics is the game of the rich and powerful -- and there is a LOT of competition. While GWB never succeeded in private business, he will remain immensely rich for the rest of his days for all he has done for his NWO buddies -- he did everything he was supposed to do, and he will be handsomely rewarded.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    There are many politicians that are ethical and believe in honesty and not compromising their integrity, but unfortunately few last one term or end up in the White House.
     -- RBESRQ     
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     -- Cosmas, Nyeri      
     -- Margret, Kakamega      
    I think by today's headlines it has been proven to be the case. Latest crook ended up with a 5 million $ income on 175,000 senator's pay. He received this for 'consulting' yet wasn't labelled a lobbyist and gets to be nominated for a political office for group he 'consulted' for.
     -- sjc, NH     
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    Having spent a career in and around politics, in two states, I can attest to this statement. There are, and have been, few honest people in politics over the years. The way to tell if they are honest is if when they get out of politics, they are not well off.
     -- John, Troy     
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    The Clinton's have taken 'global graft' to a whole new level making hundreds of millions of dollars. Obama has acquired nearly $40 million in cash and property during his tenure as president. Gore stands to make billions in carbon credits and fluorescent bulbs. Disgusting, really...
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    I've chased this quote to no end... and yet to find where and when Truman was supposed to have said it. The only places I find it are through people who say Truman said it or attribute it to him on various memes and blogspots. So... can ANYONE please direct me to the source?
     -- Don, St Augustine     
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    Don, we have also been unable to find the source of this quote. We have tagged it 'Attributed' as it is popularly attributed to Truman.
     -- Editor, Liberty Quotes     
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    Trump should have used this in his campaign.
     -- Bruski, Naples FL     
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    Truman was a sincere globalizing socialist ! He was ask to step down as President. Joe McCarthy pointed out Very Clearly the corruption in the State Department and U.S.army. Truman would know, he supported a crooked agenda.
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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    Lamentably, it is they who are primarily animated by a will to possess power for whom political pursuits hold the greatest allure.

    We are well past the days of Cincinnatus and George Washington.
     -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill     
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    Lock her up
     -- HellaryRotten, DC     
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    Any straight forward person with ethics can never be elected President. Too bad we are so selfish with little or no regard for the little guy.
     -- Kevin Finnerty, Brunswick,Ga     
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    I think it is disgusting that the Clintons have become so rich, and then pretend they care about the blacks, the little guy, and also the Hispanics. It wasn't that long ago she stated they were broke. They became so wealthy giving speeches, and working for the government? How can Americans be so gullible to think she really cares?
     -- Linda Roche, Uniontown, Pa     
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    I can't remember reading that Truman was rich. As for Trump he was rich before he became president.
     -- Sharon     
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    Truman was almost broke when he left office. He was the reason that Presidents were given a pension upon leaving the White House. 

    Harry Truman said, "You can't get rich in politics unless you are a crook. It simply can't be done."

     -- RegT, SW Montana     
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    BS. Truman left office almost penniless. If he had been a crook, he would have done what Hillary did, selling her office to the highest bidders. Along with stealing most of the money that was supposed to go to the Haitians. She (even more than Bill whose only real interest, we are told, was in screwing as many women and girls as he could) was in it mainly for the money. That is indisputable.

    Truman was voted a pension ($25K a year, modest even back then) because he was almost broke, and was in debt, when he left office. He was the reason Presidents started receiving a pension when they left office.

    Neither of the Obamas had more than a few hundred thousand when they entered the White House, now they can afford to buy a $12 or $13 million dollar home on the shoreline at Martha's Vineyard, and still have plenty left over for a lavish lifestyle. They and the Clintons are perfect examples of Truman's quote.
     -- RegT, SW Montana     
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    It's been proven that most of the Obama money came from book sales. Look into the rewards given to Reagan and Bush AFTER they left office by the Saudis. They can't take bribes while in office. The loophole is all the kush they get after they sell us out.


     -- John, Anytown     
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    $25,000/year was certainly NOT modest back then!  I remember that an executive's salary in 1958 was about $10,000/yr.
     -- john, grass valley     
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    Bill Clinton and Harry Truman were two of the most effective presidents we have ever had!
     -- Mrshall Boucher, Seffner Florida     
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    Effective at what?  Ushering in socialism?
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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     -- jim k, austin      
    The Biden's have made a family fortune ever since Joe took office.  So too the Pelosi's, Feinstein's, and so many more on both sides of the aisle having become multi-millionaires.  In case you didn't know, there is a lot of money to be made in politics, and some people go into it for that very reason!  Fascism is alive and well in the US government. Trump is independently wealthy and cannot be bought.  The snakes have been squirming ever since the light has been shone on them.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    you say, "Politics is the game of the rich and powerful . . . " You may want to add, psychopathic to the list of requirements.
     -- rick, Los Angeles     
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    Oh, and Trump didn't take advantage of his position to boost his business income?  Give me a break!
     -- John O, Mesa     
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    Prove it.  Trump lost money.  Unlike Obama who became enormously rich from his donors — 2 oceanfront houses in Hawaii and Nantucket worth over $25 million.  The Hawaii property was a gift from a grateful Democrat.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    We hold this truth to be self evident !
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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