DC and our ‘social parasites’
If you’re old enough to remember 1984 Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton, you’ll recall that he just always seemed so darn happy all the time. He still does. This despite some notable setbacks in his life: Testicular cancer in 1997 and a benign brain tumor in 1994.
Hamilton was in town last week to promote his new get-happy book, “The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (Even When You Have Every Reason to be Miserable)” and we just had to ask whether our little town – and all of its various political rivalries — could stand to smile just a little bit more.
“You’ll never regret taking the highest road,” Hamilton told Yeas & Nays. “And, in politics now, the party system has become so polarized and divisive that I think the low road is being taken more than not.
That is, of course, except Barack Obama. “When someone runs as he did, with charisma and with a great presence … people can’t help but be optimistic, even if only cautiously optimistic,” said Hamilton.
As for Congress? Well Hamilton is down right sour on them. “You see things like the politicians ridiculing leaders of the automotive industry for taking private jets into Washington,” said Hamilton. “But then these congressman have 9 percent approval ratings and they give themselves a raise?!?”
Hamilton admits that he’s naturally skeptical of politicians, thanks to his father’s advice. “He taught me early on that public service is public service and there’s nothing wrong with politics. However, if you spend life in politics you’re no longer serving the public – you’re a social parasite.
“People who spend too much time in Washington have lost the ability to lead. It becomes this sixth-grade playground. It just seems too immature the way things are handled and if you’re going to talk the talk you have to be able to walk the walk.
But that skeptical outlook doesn’t explain why Hamilton won’t be here for Obama’s inauguration. “I’m one of the few people in the world who won’t be there,” joked Hamilton, who explained that he couldn’t get out of a prior commitment. “Besides, aren’t hotel rooms there just impossible to come by?”
