Who is Dino Cortopassi and why should we care?

       When an individual puts his money where his mouth is, people take note.   This is not a case of corporate free speech, this is a case of REAL free speech.   Dean 'Dino' Cortopassi is a 77 year old Californian who is the son of Italian immigrants who grew up in the Central Valley and created a very successful company specializing in vegetables and olive oil.   He is concerned about the finances of the state and has begun a campaign to bring information to the citizenry about the facts of California's budget, as put forth by Gov. Jerry Brown, the 77 year old Democrat who is in his current 2nd term(3rd over all).
      Mr. Cortopassi calls his campaign Liar-Liar-Pants on-Fire.   He has taken out a series of full page ads in 8 major newspapers across the state.  He accuses the Brown administration of using smoke-and-mirrors to spin the information on the current financial status of state coffers.   Among other facts, he points out that the pension funds of state employees is woefully underfunded by any measure and will soon bankrupt the state.
      The ad campaign itself-the print ads, cost him north of $200,000.   This type of spending brings to mind H. Ross Perot, the Texan who formed a 3rd party over 30 years ago.   It also conjures up an image of Ralph Nader, the crusader who ran for President against Al Gore and George Bush, splitting the vote(but not affecting the eventual outcome).
      Since the Democrats have gerrymandered the Republicans in the state out of political existence, the state has become a one party state government.  This is never a good thing.
      With the state in a prolonged drought, water is also a concern of Mr. Cortopassi.  He recently lost a lawsuit against the state Dept. of Water Resources over distribution of Sacramento River water.   Could this be a case of sour grapes?   If it is, he's willing to spend many additional moneys to prove his point.
     Where will it go and when will it end?  These self financed campaigns usually end on the rocks of financial shoals- not enough $$$ to continue without ending up in poverty.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cortopassi is enjoying the limelight, and willing to pay for it.
Stay tuned, more to come from Mr. C.