Harry S Truman when he left office along with Congressman and Senators received no pension or perks. By 1959 Harry and Bess were broke. He refused to cheapen the office of President by using his name to endorse goods and services of companies. Congress and Eisenhower passed legislation in 1961 to give Congressmen, Senators, the President and V.P. pensions and other perks for life after one term of service. LBJ and Congress amended the law to give benefits after one year of service. Before Ike, the elected officials went back to their lives and careers before their elections not the Federal Teat. My family and I live okay on a hell of a lot less than $174,000 a year pay all my bills, feed my family, maintain my property and equipment, owe no money to anybody for anything and have enough left to bank some and give some to select Veterans groups. Why can't they live on it? Also how does the Gentleman from Virginia feel he is on the Board of Directors for the U.S. thought he was an elected official. Paul