Republican Club
By Brian Harmon
LW contributor
Some LW Republican Club members were upset last week by an attack ad from the Association of Orange County Sheriff’s, a public employee union. The claims of John Moorlach’s alledged harassment of an employee have been condemned by the OC Register and other sources.
Moorlach is running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors in a special election March 9. Ballots have been mailed out. Those who have not received a ballot or want to register to vote can do so at OCvote.com or call (714) 567-7600.
LW Republican Club leaders took issue with the flyers, and many GOP leaders believe the main reason there are campaigns targeting Moorlach is because he had spearheaded the fight to rein in the exploding cost of pension increases. Many believed the increases would bring financial ruin to many cities in California. Moorlach is respected nationally as an expert on state and municipal finance and bankruptcy.
Republican Club’s second vice president Brian Harmon said that when people are fighting for higher benefits, they do whatever is necessary.
Harmon compared this situation with what David Stockman, director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan, complained about in his book, “The Tripumph of Politics.”
Harmon explained that as shocking as it sounds, it is human nature to fight for the pension that will support a person and their spouse in their old age, even if the amounts might be considered too high to others.
“The additional problem of pension spending,” he continued, “is that it is so attractive politically.”
“The appeal to politicians is that they get credit and support while they are in office, and the harmful effects do not come until after they are out of office,” Harmon said. ••• The OC Register published a second editorial supporting Moorlach, condemning the allegations that he covered up an alleged sexual attack on a staffer. The editorial was titled “Reject the cynical smear campaign against John Moorlach” and can be read in full at https:// www.ocregister.com/2021/02/05/reject-the-cynical-smear-campaignagainst- john-moorlach/
••• The Republican Club booth is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Clubhouse 6 for anyone who wants to drop off ballots, get voter information, or sign up to receive clubannouncements. To sign up to receive club announcements, email dharlow50@aol.com.
