He followed the rules. And during his years as president, he saw his only job as working for the American people. I recently revisited his 2014 autobiography "A Full Life: Reflections at 90," which I enthusiastically recommend. He shares details and opinions and it's a fascinating read - or listen, since I have it on audio, read by the author himself.
When his father died, Jimmy Carter gave up a brilliant career in the Navy to return to Plains to take over the family farm. Rosalynn was not happy about it and it was a struggle. In the beginning, they lived in subsidized housing and Jimmy made much of their furniture himself - they still use a lot of it today.
When he became president, his business was placed in a blind trust. During his presidency, he didn't even receive reports. There could be no conflict of interest. And when he returned to private life in 1981, he learned that things had not gone well. He says there had been "mismanagement," and coupled with three years of drought, he not only came close to losing the business, but also their home, which he had also helped to build. He was able to sell the Carter warehouse to pay off much of the debt, but he was forced to start over again.
I can't help comparing this to Trump who apparently sees the presidency as a money making opportunity - not only for himself, but also for his adult children - who are also costing the taxpayers millions. Rachel Maddow had a recent report on a business Trump acquired in SC - that requires toxic waste cleanup. He expected the taxpayers of SC to pay for that since the waste was there when he acquired it. But who was the previous owner who left it that way? His eldest son...
Jimmy Carter viewed the presidency as an opportunity to do some good in the world and he has continued to give back, through the Carter Center, the diplomatic missions he has undertaken for subsequent presidents and his ongoing work for Habitat for Humanity. In 1984, former VP Mondale summed up their years in Washington, "'We told the truth, obeyed the law and kept the peace." I can't help comparing that to Trump - who appears to be in this only for what he can take. 
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