Michael R. Maloof
The difference between the Washington, DC my grandfather saw and the one I am currently in
By Michael R. Maloof
Summer 2014
All my life I’ve been interested in politics; my love for American history quickly grew into the realization that politics is what shapes and alters our future. Growing up in Warwick, RI my grandfather told me stories of his post-college days on the Hill working in congressional offices and eventually his time spent at the American Bankers Association (ABA). I always read about political divisions and the problems that occurred with two parties that saw things differently on a number of issues; but I was always told that DC wasn’t as bad as it looked in the media, that within the problems, answers could be met and results would eventually be found.
Understanding American history is what allows me to compare and contrast different time periods of political turmoil and conclude that we are missing one important aspect that no longer allows for the country to see results, but instead a “do nothing” Congress – lack of leadership.
My grandfather, pictured here, is one of the main reasons I got involved in politics.
In the 1990s President Bill Clinton saw the uprising of what today would be called the Republican Tea Party. Newt Gingrich’s revolution in the mid-1990s built a wedge between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Over time, through tremendous leadership and the ability to compromise (scary word nowadays), the two sides were able to get results in certain areas and grew a working relationship that eventually led to a balanced budget in 2000. President Clinton knew how to work the political system, all the words that today have become ‘dirty’ – the schmoozing and the back room meetings. Rather than fighting the system of which he was elected to be the chief executive, Clinton worked it to his advantage and the most important thing that occurred was one of the most peaceful and economic well-being of any time in US history (according to Whitehouse.gov).
In a lot of ways, President Clinton resembled the “old-time politicians” my grandfather saw and interacted with when he was here in Washington. As a young Republican who had voted for Richard Nixon in the 1960 Presidential Election, the story he told me that made me interested in politics at a young age is a surprising one.
While working for the ABA, my grandfather was tasked with writing a speech for President John F. Kennedy at an event the ABA was holding. My grandfather drafted a text and expected that the President’s staff would eventually edit it and adjust the wording to how they saw fit. However, when JFK gave the speech, it was word for word what my grandfather had written. Although my grandfather was and still is a great writer (one of the best I know), he had never expected this. What really surprised him, though, was what happened next. The ABA had assigned my grandfather as the association’s escort for the day (working with the Secret Service). They were together in a small room at a D.C. hotel prior to the speech. JFK remarked about the speech, asked about his work generally, and was most complimentary. His knowledge of the economy and banking made a considerable impression on my grandfather. Although he may never admit it today, with all the nasty gridlock, I’ve heard him say before that he would have voted for JFK in 1964 if given the chance.
This story is what made me love politics, especially President Kennedy. JFK has always been my political standard bearer (as weird as that is for a young Republican). Although this story doesn’t necessarily define a clear cut difference between the 1960s Washington DC and today, it does help to contrast them. The “old-time politicians” I have read about and the political system I have envisioned them serving in are much simpler. Being a member of the opposing party didn’t make someone an enemy; it made them a friendly adversary in a political atmosphere that put country first and differences of opinions second. I’m not suggesting that the interaction between my grandfather and President Kennedy wouldn’t occur today, but I doubt that it would happen as sincerely.
The lack of leadership we see today comes from the lack of sincerity, and mutual respect, that come from a deterioration politics. In my humble, young and maybe idealistic opinion, no longer do up-and-coming politicians remember what they are here for. It isn’t to be a public servant anymore. It isn’t to see results anymore. It isn’t to build common ground anymore. Rather, today the political atmosphere feels like a competition of “visions” about what America should be.
Our elected officials must remember where they came from and who has allowed them to be in this position. Unlike those who feel that America isn’t what it was at one point and our future isn’t brighter than our past, I say it is. We are still the ‘land of the free and home of the brave.’ We are still a place of opportunity and a culture of excellence. The difference is we no longer have leaders who are willing to lead in a way that continue to promote those opportunities and culture for the sake of results that will benefit all of us.
The American people deserve better. Results do matter even if everyone does not get every result he or she wants.
This is the difference between the Washington DC my grandfather saw and the one I am currently in.
Michael is a Political Science major interning in the office of Congresswoman Christi Noem (R-SD)
