Battle Lines Drawn in the 29th

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No small stir was created recently when the Pasadena Star-News endorsed incumbent Congressman Adam Schiff.  Despite past assurances from the editor that the paper has no bias, devotion to Schiff seems unshakable, though his performance in Washington has been abysmal.

The Star-News editorial defending Schiff characterized him as “a moderate member of the Blue Dog Caucus of fiscally sensible Democrats.”  Sounds almost centrist – and just in time for the election.  “Schiff’s record is hard to ignore,” we’re told.  Indeed.

Schiff helped increase the national debt by $3 trillion in less than two years.  And this was no mere hangover from the Bush years – or more accurately, the legacy of Democrats insisting banks make mortgage loans to unqualified buyers.  Not only has Schiff made no effort to slam the brakes on reckless spending; he’s stepped on the gas.

Rep. Schiff voted for the $787 stimulus package virtually sight unseen, as trusting citizens were assured the legislation was essential to keeping unemployment below 8%.  L.A. County now weighs in at 12.6%, and fifteen million Americans are out of work.  We’re not even sure where all the stimulus money went, but we’re certainly deeper in debt.

In fact, with the national debt now exceeding $13 trillion, it’s percentage of GDP is truly alarming.  But as we go the way of Greece, Schiff and the “fiscally sensible Democrats” have continued shoveling tens of billions in bailouts to their union friends, yet refused to pass a federal budget.

And let’s not forget our congressman’s crowning achievement: Obamacare, the bill we had to pass to find out what was in it.  In defiance of public opinion this new entitlement will increase healthcare costs, reduce the quality of treatment, and further burden our moribund economy.  Plus with Schiff’s support, the federal government has exceeded the Constitution’s enumerated powers both by providing healthcare itself (the prerogative of states and individuals) and by coercing citizens to purchase insurance.

But the Star-News reminds us nobody’s perfect.  (Nothing like a straw-man argument when facts prove unhelpful.)  Yet no one’s criticizing Schiff for mere imperfection, but for bankrupting this country in pursuit of a socialist utopia.  His “spread the wealth” philosophy has undermined every society where it’s been tried – defrauding hard-working people, reducing productivity, increasing unemployment, weakening defenses, and creating an ever-larger dependent class until the whole experiment goes bust.

So how does Schiff’s Republican challenger compare?  John Colbert has a strong resume, with experience in the military, law enforcement, and the business world.  He helped build from scratch a multi-national software company, providing employment and income for hundreds of California families.  And while it’s not essential that every prospective legislator have private-sector experience, it’s vital when governing elites have forgotten the value of a dollar.

But more importantly, John Colbert understands the essentials for a just and prosperous society: smaller government, less debt, and lower taxes.  Not only is this consistent with the vision of the Founders, but each time we’ve adhered to these principles our economy has boomed.  Colbert gets it, Schiff doesn’t.

When the views of Colbert and like-minded conservatives are implemented in Washington, human creativity will again be unleashed as entrepreneurs are rewarded for their labor.  We’ll watch jobs proliferate – for rich, poor and middle class – as personal wealth is freely invested, not forcibly confiscated and unwisely spent by the governing class.

Colbert will help roll back the welfare state – not because he lacks compassion, but because the Western European model is a proven failure.  Like most conservatives, he both practices and preaches assisting the truly needy, but keeps charity in the private sector where accountability and effectiveness are greatest.

In short, John Colbert is the anti-Schiff.  He envisions a renewal of American greatness – not by sucking money from the real economy so government can spend it for us, but by trusting private citizens to help themselves and work for the common good when allowed to keep more of what they earn.