Special Report

Contested 12th

Copple squares off against Levin in House race.

Robert Sklar

Editor

H

up their mistakes. As an
American, I can't help
but scratch my head and
wonder — is this how
capitalism works?"
Copple says the 12th
District has lost more
than 26,000 jobs since
2001. "We have unem-
ployment over 10 per-
cent," he said. "We need
investment in our dis-
trict, in our skilled work
force.
"This will only be
accomplished:' he contin-
ued, "if our representa-
tive in Congress starts
thinking outside of the
box and begins doing
some national network-
ing besides voting to
rename post offices and
bridges. We need to stop
sending the same people
back to Washington election after elec-
tion!'
Below, the IN presents questionnaire
responses from the two major party can-
didates, Levin and Copple. Other hopefuls
in the race are Libertarian Party candi-
date John Vico of St. Clair Shores, Green
Party candidate William J. Opalicky of
Southfield and U.S. Taxpayers Party candi-
date Les Townsend of Fraser.
In 2006, Rep. Levin defeated Republican
challenger Randell J. Shafer of St. Clair
Shores. Levin captured 70 percent of the
vote to Shafer's 26 percent.
The Democrats hope to bolster their
majority status in the House. The 110th
Congress consists of 233 Democrats and
202 Republicans.

e's Sandy on the House floor and
in the Jewish community. He's
known for his affable demeanor
but he can play hardball politics, too. U.S.
Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, doesn't
take his 26 years in office for granted. This
election season, he faces a re-election bid
by a Protestant minister, Republican Bert
Copple, who promises a lively campaign.
The horizontally shaped 12th congres-
sional district straddles Oakland and
Macomb countries. Though past elec-
tions indicate a Democratic tilt, Reagan
Democrats in Macomb may play a role
in this year's campaign, especially in the
wake of Republican presidential nominee
John McCain's decision to forego active
campaigning in Michigan.
The 12th District includes the cities
of Southfield, Lathrup Village, Oak Park,
Ferndale, Royal Oak, Clawson, Center Line,
Warren, Roseville, Fraser, Eastpointe, St.
Clair Shores and Mount Clemens as well
as surrounding townships.
The annual pay for a U.S. representative
is $169,300.
Levin says the economy is high on his
stump agenda. On his Web site, he says
the federal government reported a loss of
another 159,000 jobs in America during
September.
"Our state and national economies are
in turmoil:' he said. "The U.S. has lost over
half a million jobs this year. A national
foreclosure crisis is forcing millions from
their homes and the stability of our entire
financial system is at risk.
"Now, the percent of the long-term
unemployed stands at 21 percent of total
unemployment," he said.
He added, "We know a bit about
tough economic times in Michigan. The
Sander "Sandy"
announcement by the McCain campaign
Levin
that they were 'conceding' Michigan is just
Age: 77
another example that the economic poli-
City of Residence:
cies of John McCain are no better than
Royal Oak, 30 years
George Bush. Every industrial state should
Family: wife, the late
be offended that John McCain is shying
Vicki; four children;
away from a debate about our economic
eight grandchildren
Rep. Levin
futures!'
Business/Professional
Says Copple: "Because of the mis-
Career: Member of Congress since 1983
takes made on Wall Street, and the
Religious Affiliation: Congregation
lack of leadership in Washington, the
Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County
American taxpayer will now be billed
Contact: 8322 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren
at the tune of $700 billion, and possibly
48093; (586) 576-1636;
more, to help failing institutions cover
www.levinforcongress.com.

AT ISSUE
Israel
Israel is America's most important friend
and strategic ally in the Middle East.
There is no higher priority in America's
foreign aid budget than the security of
Israel, including economic security. While
the road ahead in the peace process is dif-
ficult, it is clear that American leadership
is needed to help reach an agreement that
provides for Israel's security and ensures
lasting cessation of violence in the region.
With regard to foreign assistance — both
to Israel and in other vital areas — one of
my criticisms of the current administra-
tion is that America is shortchanging so
many priorities, in part to accommodate
the administration's unsustainable tax and
budget policies.

Iran
For the Iranian regime to acquire
nuclear weapons is simply unaccept-
able and must be prevented. While
pursuing misguided policies in Iraq,
the Bush administration has seen Iran
more brazenly pursuing its nuclear pro-
grams. All options must remain on the
table regarding Iran, but the U.S. must
improve efforts to lead a multilateral
effort to apply all available diplomatic
and economic pressure on Tehran to
suspend its uranium enrichment pro-
gram.

Gun Control
I support the right of law-abiding
Americans to keep and use firearms; at
the same time, the federal government has
a legitimate role in preventing criminals
and mentally unstable individuals from
easily obtaining weapons. Requiring police
background checks to prevent criminals
from obtaining firearms has proven to be
an effective crime-fighting tool. Similarly,
assault weapons are not needed either for
recreation or self-defense. I strongly sup-
port the Brady Law as well as efforts to
restrict dangerous assault weapons.

Homeland Security
I am working to provide government at all
levels with the tools and resources neces-
sary to proactively detect and combat
terrorism, including efforts to improve
information sharing between intelligence
agencies and law enforcement. However,
I have strongly opposed efforts by the
Bush administration that cross the line
and needlessly infringe on fundamental
constitutional principles. For example, I
opposed the administration's "warrant-
less" surveillance program. We need a full
accounting of this illegal surveillance pro-
gram to prevent an abuse like this from
happening again.

Contested on page A14

October 16 2008

A13