1 Not Resting On Laurels Sander Levin takes nothing for granted in 12th Congressional District race. HARRY KIRS BAUM Staff Writer Inc arvey Dean senses he doesn't have a chance, but don't tell that to his oppo- nent. Sander Levin, 20 years on the job as a U.S. representative, has spent $550,00 out of a campaign war chest of $750,00 to defeat the little-known attorney. Dean resigned as the political action committee director for Right to Life of Michigan-12th Congressional District, to run against Levin. Levin is actively campaigning in the new district, which includes parts of Macomb County, and parts of Oakland County's Southfield, Oak Park, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township, Madison Heights and Royal Oak. "We are holding numerous meet- ings, ice cream socials, family picnics, etc., in the communities new to the 12th District," Levin said. "We are communicating with voters through- out the district with literature on the issues. We are also doing a lot of work with other candidates at all levels." Republican challenger Dean also is actively campaigning, but he fears Levin's name recognition, money and a 60 percent Democratic majority in the district according to past elections. Dean has raised $17,000 and spent $30,000 so far. "I feel I could beat him if I had ample funds," Dean said. "He has been on the wrong side of too may issues. Those issues should be re- examined and debated and it is for this reason that I am running." The Issues Levin and Dean agree on corporate responsibility issues and strong sup- port for Israel, but little else. Levin believes that religion is an important facet of life in the United States, but the Constitution requires the separation of church and state and is "distressed when the Republican majority brings bills to the floor [of Congress] that warp this requirement." Levin cited a bill that would allow churches to participate in political campaigns, including endorsing and contributing to candidates without losing their non-profit tax status. He said the bill failed in the House, but called it "a blatant erosion of the prin- ciple of separation of church and state." Dean calls religion's role in America "the centerpiece of my campaign." He believes the nation was founded "on the principle of public acknowledge- ment that God is the sole source of our lives and liberties and that our nation needs to rely on His providence and His wisdom." Levin believes the U.S. should "not go it alone" against Iraq. He favors international action. Dean cited the Northwest - Ordinance, the first significant legisla- tion passed by Congress, that stated "Religion and morality being necessary to good government ..." "That was the public policy of our government for 175 years or so. Our problems began when that public poli- cy was changed," he said. Levin strongly supported both the gun-limiting Brady bill and the ban on assault weapons. Dean opposes infringement on all constitutional rights, including the right to bear arms, and notes that Michigan's recent experience in liberalizing issuance of gun permits has not led to an increase in gun-connected felonies. Levin believes the United States should not "go it alone" against Iraq. He favors broad collective internation- al action to disarm dictator Saddam Hussein or take military action. Dean believes , a nation can deliver the first strike if it has hard evidence that its people are imperiled by an imminent attack. He would insist that that evidence of an Al Qaeda-Iraq connection be disclosed. SANDER LEVIN Sept. 6, 1931 FAMILY: Wife, Vicki. Children, Jennifer (Levin Pensler), 44; Andrew, 42; Madeline (Levin), 40; Matthew, 34. EDUCATION: University of Chicago, bachelor's, 1952; Columbia Univeristy, master's in international relations, 1954; Harvard Law School, 1957. BORN: PROFESSIONAL: Michigan State Senate, 1964-1970 U. S. representative since 1982 WEB SITE: Social Security The two candidates are farthest apart on how to fix Social Security. Levin said the tax and budget policies of the Bush administration and the Republican majority in Congress have effectively picked the Social Security lockbox. The sheer size of last year's nine- year, $1.6 trillion tax cut has been a key factor in sending the federal budg- et back into deficit, he said, to the point where Social Security and Medicare funds are being used to fund the tax cut. "Congress should retain the tax cuts that have already taken place, but postpone most of the tax cuts sched-: uled for future years that are not yet in effect — the vast majority of which benefit only the very richest taxpay- ers," Levin said. "These funds should be reserved for Social Security and Medicare." Dean called Social Security a trust fund consisting entirely of IOUs from the government in the form of govern- ment bonds — and no more than a series of bookkeeping entries. "Because our population, like that of all Western democracies, is imploding, the only thing that can save the system is an infusion of life," he said. In eight years, when the Baby Boomer generation begins reaching the age of retirement, he said, there will be too few workers to tax to maintain Social Security. "The system is doomed unless we have a profusion of young people." Dean proposes increasing income tax deductions for children to $3,000 a year for each child, and index that figure to inflationary changes. The government should pay each family $7,500 per year for each child the family has over and above one child, then pay college tuition for each child over and above one child, and pass an amendment to make abortion illegal, "except for those needed to save the lives of the mother." ❑ www.house.gov/levin HARVEY DEAN Feb. 11, 1927 Wife, Margaret; chil- dren, Michael, 38; Mary (Sarcona), 37; Gregory, 34; Tony, 32; Sara, 30. MILITARY: U.S. Navy (World War II) BORN: FAMILY: EDUCATION: University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science and the Arts, 1951; U-M Law School, 1954. PROFESSIONAL: Practicing attorne,y 47 years. WEB SITE: www.deanforconaress.com 10/18 2002 35