Whatever happened to our old friend Harry?
Ted Folkert
October 13, 2014
Remember the song that ended something like: “…. Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby? Can you tell me where he’s gone? I thought I saw him walkin’ up over the hill, with Abraham, Martin and John ….”
It makes me want to sing about our old friend Harry ……. the guy who said that accepting money for speaking would be unbecoming in his post-presidential years. The guy who said about the $1,000 per plate fund raising dinner for John Kennedy – “there goes democracy.”
Boy how things have changed since the days when Harry Truman left office without even a presidential pension. He spoke for free, even at my high school – and mowed his own lawn, much to the chagrin of his wife Bess.
But, like so many of Truman’s statements, he was right about “there goes democracy.” Democracy has been going downhill ever since. Harry didn’t suffer fools well and he didn’t like crooked politicians, including Richard Nixon. He didn’t mince his words either. Like some Missourian said: “He calls ‘em like he sees ‘em.”
Having the pleasure of reading the editorial by Steve Paul in the Kansas City Star recently triggered some historical thoughts about democracy and what we used to think it was. In Paul’s article, “For David McCullough, History is Always Human”, he speaks about his interview with David McCollough, historian and biographer, who reminds us of the importance of history, both written and photographic.
Read the article by Steve Paul: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/steve-paul/article2664697.html.
The thing the song reminds us of about Abraham, Martin, John, and Bobby, all who were assassinated, is that they were all heavily involved in movements or political events that were crucial in reducing inequality in the effort to enable a more just and enduring freedom. An objective that seems to have gotten lost in “there goes democracy.” An objective that is talked about by everyone seeking public office but quickly forgotten after the election, either because it wasn’t meant in the beginning or the distraction of raising money for reelection becomes too overwhelming.
Truman was right on, democracy ended with the $1,000 per plate fund raiser.
It is unlikely that it will return to the forefront until the $1,000 per plate dinner, which has become a $60,000 per plate dinner, comes to an end and becomes unlawful.
That is exactly why we desperately need a constitutional amendment that will make everyone’s vote count the same and everyone’s interest count the same.
Think about it!
Convince someone today to help us elect better leaders!