Costa - Yes! Churchill - No!

Scott Sturman

fliesinyoureyes.com

Sir Winston Churchill

In 2010 Jim Costa won a fourth term as U.S. Representative from California's 20th District but only by a whisker.  He barely survived a challenge by political neophyte and cherry farmer Andy Vidak, who led after election night, but not surprisingly lost when absentee ballots were counted.  For this election cycle Costa, hoping for an easier victory, will be running in the newly formed 16th Congressional District where he will face another political newcomer, Republican Brian Whelan.

When people talk about Congressman Costa, they are most impressed with his mediocrity. “Not the sharpest razor in the drawer,” as my father used to say.  However, Costa has made a life of politics.  He served in the California Assembly and Senate for 24 years, where some say his claim to fame was a clumsy attempt to pick up two undercover cops posing as prostitutes which ended in an embarrassing arrest.  Obviously, the incident did not affect his career adversely.  He represented a safe Democratic district and was a single man out on the town.  What’s wrong with a little fun for a Fresno farm kid, when he’s away from home in Sacramento?  Yet after 24 years in Sacramento, one could make the argument Sacramento was home.

Costa declares himself a “Blue Dog Democrat,” but during the Pelosi era, she could count on his support 93% of the time.  Pelosi is extremely unpopular in California’s Central Valley, but as long as she was throwing this Blue Dog a bone from time to time, he catered to her whims, while hoping the folks back home had short memories.  

A shift in political power occurred in November 2010, and in any other state Costa would have been packing his bags and looking for a new job.  Even in conservative Central California with nearly 20% unemployment, a beleaguered agricultural industry, and gallons of red ink, these colossal problems were not enough to unseat a career politician who is unable to identify the cause of these problems, much less solve them.

The American political process is mind numbing, so to put it in perspective one should recall the experience of Winston Churchill, acknowledged as one of the greatest statesmen and orators in the history of western civilization.  He won the Nobel Prize for Literature and a plethora of awards bestowed by the British Empire.  While Prime Minister he led Great Britain through the perils of World War II, and forever will be known for his courage, tenacity, leadership abilities.  In 1945 shortly after the conclusion of  World War II, he was defeated in his bid to remain as Prime Minister.  Despite his stature and service to his country, the voters felt he was not the right man to lead England during the post war years.

In California a man of considerably less aptitude attempts to return to Congress once again thanks to gerrymandering, voter ignorance, and political inertia.  At a time when fresh ideas and personalties are essential, will the 16th District send a vote of confidence to the 60 year old Pelosi drone and career politician?  One thing is clear, Churchill's political career would have been far more certain in the Golden State where once you’re in, baring death or voluntary retirement, political office is a tenured lifetime position. 

For every Jim Costa there are sagas of similar politicians from both parties who do not belong in Congress.  They wade through their careers building alliances, acting in self interest, and hoping to serve in perpetuity.  When you hear the name Costa, term limits and competitive Congressional redistricting sound awfully good. 

 

Mr. Jim Costa

Noblesse Oblige

 Photo by JoAnn Sturman

Scott Sturman
fliesinyoureyes.com

Seeing her “deer in the headlights” expression as she advises the American public to support health care reform legislation before reading the details, makes one wonder if Nancy Pelosi envisions herself as a feudal queen caring for the needs of the peasants. No amount of sarcasm, criticism, or intellectual debate will change her mind. She is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and represents one of the safest Democratic seats in the United States - the 8th District of California which encompasses the San Francisco area. She has had no serious competition for her seat since initially elected in 1987 and typically garners 75% of the vote at election time. So secure is her position that she has not had to debate an opponent since her first race twenty-three years ago. She is bullet proof.

The “Blue Dog” Democrats, a group of fifty-four supposedly conservative leaning Democrats in the House of Representatives, formed an association in 1995 to enhance their clout. Theoretically, they tend to be more socially and financially conservative than their traditional Democratic colleagues, and many represent southern states. The largest financial supporter of the Blue Dog Political Action Committee is the health care industry.

Jim Costa, who represents California's 20th District, and Dennis Cardoza, who represents the state's 18th District, are vulnerable Blue Dog Democrats from the Central Valley. One has to question the label “Blue Dog” in their case. The title provides more political cover than an accurate description of their voting tendencies. Both could be more accurately described as “Pelosi's Dogs”. Cardoza has voted for Obama-Pelosi sponsored legislation 96% of the time compared to Costa's 93%. The only time they cannot be counted on to vote like Barney Frank or Maxine Waters is when legislation involves allocation of federal water to their intensively farmed congressional districts.

With her great wealth and uncontested power, it is a small matter for the 70 year old Pelosi to demand Cardoza and Costa take the fall. It is really quite painless. Drink the Kool-Aid, boys. There is no need to read the 2000 pages of proposed legislation. Just like the American people, they can take her word for it and find out what they voted for at a later date.

ADDENDUM:

Yesterday the Catholic Health Association which represents Catholic Hospitals endorsed the Obama health care bill being debated in the House of Representatives. The executive director cited the legislation “isn't perfect” but represents a “major first step.” The message could not be more clear: pass anything even if it is deeply flawed. Imagine a housing contractor building an inferior building, a surgeon performing only half of a required operation, or a teacher telling the class a 50% grade is perfectly acceptable. As long as one makes an effort, the results are inconsequential.

In the larger perspective the issue is about the federalization of debt. States such as California which have not prudently managed their resources have a great deal to gain by having the federal government pay their Medicaid obligations. The losers are the states which have managed their finances wisely and will have to pay for California's ineptitude and, of course, the next generations who will have to pay for the massive amount of debt accrued by this latest spending spree.