Do you know who James Corbett is? He is a conservative Democrat running against the ethically challenged Republican Diane Harkey, in the 73rd Assembly District. Corbett is a long shot but he could have had a great shot at the seat, if the long awaited trial in federal court accusing her and her husband of defrauding and abusing the elderly as part of their family’s business had started before the Nov. 6 election.
Unfortunately the Harkeys’ trial was delayed until after absentee ballots went out. That about sunk Corbett’s boat. But that doesn’t mean we should let Harkey get a free pass! I have been after her for many years. In fact a recent OJ blog post referenced my past work on this subject. She needs to go – now more than ever!
Here are a few notes about Corbett, in his own words:
I have been honored to teach a generation South County young people. I expected to go on teaching as long as my brain and body could do the job willing to work with whatever money and materials were available, but I can’t continue to be content as a teacher, no matter how much how much I love the job when political decisions are doing such damage to the future of our youth. Over the years, I have successfully encouraged many students to get involved with politics. Some, including Tracey Schmitt who was Sarah Palin’s press secretary, Henry Pfirmann…., and Michael Zona who currently works for …… have been quite successful. Reluctantly, I have concluded that it is time to take my own advice and stand for office.
The current Assemblywoman for the 73rd District, Diane Harkey, has done nothing to alleviate the crises in CUSD schools. She is partly responsible for the fact that South County gets less than a nickel back from Sacramento for every dollar taxpayers send North. Worse, Ms. Harkey is morally obtuse, ethically bankrupt and lacking in principles. Her re-election sends the wrong message to our youth. The choice is clear. Voters can pick a corrupt politician, who accepts thousands from special interest groups, and is currently facing a lawsuit for fraud, elder abuse and running a Ponzi Scheme, or they can choose me. I’m an honest, Independent, Conservative Democrat. I have refused money from any special interests, including the California Teachers’ Association, public employee unions or any other traditional Democratic sources. If I’m elected, my only debt will be to the voters who elected me.
Ballot statement: Are your children worth $3,000 less than a child in Newport Beach? Are they worth $6,000 less than a child in Laguna Beach? If the Capistrano Unified School District just got the state average per student per year ($8,000) there would be no increases in class sizes, no teacher layoffs, no cuts in transportation, no cuts to important programs, no cuts in the length of the school year and no need to bribe veteran teachers into retirement. Next year many CUSD kindergarten classes will have 30+ children. With those numbers, I’d rather try and carry snakes in a bucket
I am an Independent Conservative Democrat, but if I’m elected the Party would certainly work to get me re-elected and that would give me the political leverage to get the Governor and legislature at work to equalize funding for our children. According to Supervisor Bill Campbell, a Republican, OC gets back just seven cents for every dollar our taxpayers send to Sacramento. If OC got back just one more penny that would be almost a 15% increase in available funds, more than enough to fund our schools adequately. It is the very definition of insanity to vote the same way over and over and expect a different result; vote for an independent Democrat who is conservative enough to reject support from public employee unions. Vote for James Corbett, Ph.D. That one penny adds up to better schools, higher property values, and more jobs.
Vote for James Corbett!