By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter | Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 12:00 am
Steve Novick, one of three men running to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, said he wants to provide a progressive alternative to an incumbent he said is not representing Oregon's needs.
Novick spoke at Oregon State University on Thursday night.
The former attorney and policy director for Democratic candidates told a small audience of OSU students that he wants to get rid of Smith because he is out of touch with most of his constituents. For instance, Smith sponsored legislation providing big tax breaks to multinational corporations while supporting a bill that would have cut the wages of minimum-wage waiters in the state.
"These are not the priorities of most Oregonians," he said.
Novick, who is currently senior project manager for a consulting firm, said he is running as an expression of faith, using Lou Reed's "Busload of Faith," as his theme song. He said he has faith that he can make a difference, that his cause is just, and that his good luck and the intelligence of the voters will work in his favor.
The first day he takes his senate seat, Novick said, he has a number of bills he enthusiastically supports. These include proposals on doubling the nation's investment in renewable energy, the employees free choice act, which protects a worker's right to unionize, and supporting any health care reform bill that makes it to Congress.
"Anything would be an improvement over what we have today," he said.
He also proposed two largely symbolic acts, but ones which he believes would make a large difference to the American public. The first would be for the IRS to send all taxpayers a thank you card each year that would outline exactly how their taxes are distributed, which would clear up many misconceptions about government spending.
"Giving people the raw information could revolutionize politics," he said.
He also wants to replace Andrew Jackson's face on the $20 bill with the image of Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull. He said Jackson's decision to displace a number of American Indian tribes by sending them to Oklahoma was a criminal act resulting in the death of many, and that it was an insult to Native Americans to have him on the bill. He said it was a gesture that would acknowledge some of the wrongs done against indigenous peoples.
Novick and Jeff Merkley are the Democratic contenders for Smith's seat, while Corvallis resident John Frohnmayer is running as an Independent against Smith.
For more information, go to http://www.novickforsenate.com.