Elect Steve Nicholas WV state representative

[eridani]

Committee to Elect Steve Nicholas
Rt. 1, Box 125, Apt. 2
Ripley, WV 25271

Name: Steve Nicholas
Age: 26
Birthplace: Summersville, WV
Residence: Ripley, WV
Party: Democrat
Religion: American Baptist
Occupation: graduate student
Education: high school: Richwood High School '98
college: attended US Merchant Marine Academy 1998-2000
West Virginia University '05, BA, religious studies
attended Palmer Theological Seminary-WV Program, 2005-present
Military: WV Army National Guard 2000-06, sergeant 2003-06 (activated Feb. 2003-Apr. 2004, served in Iraq War, didn't see combat)
Political: WVU Young Democrats, 2001-05 (Vice President, 2002-03, 2004-05; PR committee chair, Apr.-Sept. 2004; policy committee chair, 2004-05; associate member while activated)
WV Young Democrats, 2001-present
WVU Students United for Separation of Church and State, 2002-05 (Founding Member, President, 2002-03, 2004-05; associate member while activated)
staff columnist, The Daily Athenaeum (WVU student newspaper with one of the 10 highest circulations in WV), 2004-05, more columns picked up by wire services than any other DA columnist during tenure
volunteer for seven different campaigns, 2002-2004

columns can be found at www.da.wvu.edu under archives (on Archives home page, click on date, click on Opinions, click on title):
Tue., Aug. 24, 2004 "National sales tax will be harmful for everyone"
Tue., Aug. 31, 2004 "The beginning of the end of overtime?"
Tue., Sept. 7, 2004 "Who's the flip-flopper now?"
Tue., Sept. 14, 2004 "1,009 and counting"
Wed., Sept. 22, 2004 "A veteran's right to dissent" (note: It is supposed to say "had" instead of "hadn't" referring to John O'Neill's combat history.)
Tue., Sept. 28, 2004 "Unsolicited debate advice"
Tue., Oct. 5, 2004 "Morality is broad-based"
Mon., Oct. 11, 2004 "Following an unfortunate precedent"
Mon., Oct. 18, 2004 "Have they no decency?"
Mon., Oct. 25, 2004 "Why are they so angry?"
Tue., Nov. 2, 2004 "Why I support John Kerry" (note: this column actually ran on Nov. 1, but there was some mistake on the webpage)
Mon., Nov. 8, 2004 "What is next for America?"
Mon., Nov. 15, 2004 "Talking to rural voters"
Thur., Dec. 2, 2004 "Rent control a worthy idea"
Mon., Dec. 6, 2004 "Dissent in the ranks?"
Wed., Dec. 15, 2004 "Let them eat cake" (note: this column actually ran on Dec. 13, but there was some mistake on the webpage)
Mon., Jan. 10, 2005 "Do as I say, not as I do: the new morality"
Wed., Jan. 19, 2005 "Bush not given a mandate for robbery"
Mon., Jan. 24, 2005 "Is this the future of our foreign policy?"
Mon., Jan. 31, 2005 "Whatever happened to the free press?"
Mon., Feb. 7, 2005 "Chile: always a beacon of sound policy"
Mon., Feb. 14, 2005 "Double-talking Bush giving a one-fingered salute to veterans"
same day, "Hang in there, all you singletons"
Mon., Feb. 21, 2005 "Hypocrisy and censorship in the 'Lair"
Mon., Feb. 28, 2005 "Is Bush really a uniter, not a divider?"
Mon., Mar. 7, 2005 "Why is President Bush afraid of the American people?"
Wed., Mar. 23, 2005 "Dems fighting back from the corner"
Mon., Apr. 4, 2005 "A tribute to a legendary newsman"
same day, "Pro-life means cradle to grave"
Tue., Apr. 12, 2005 "Stand up for our judiciary branch"
Mon., Apr. 18, 2005 "Reclaiming the word 'liberal' and giving it a correct definition" (probably the column I wrote that sums up my political philosophy the best)
Mon., Apr. 25, 2005 "Talking to brick walls: exercises in futility"
Mon., May 2, 2005 "Meet the columnists (better late than never)" part of a megacolumn
same day, "Parting advice from the nearly departed"

Brief philosophical statement: I believe that government works best when it realizes it's vital role in improving people's lives. I believe in fiscal responsibility, and feel that there are some vital government programs that are worth our tax dollars, I believe that the only way to have a government accountable to the people is for the people to reclaim funding of campaigns. I believe that any political candidate who will tell the voters whatever they want to hear only to get elected, doesn't deserve to get elected. I would rather lose telling the people what I really believed than win by such dishonest means. If anyone has any questions about particular issues, feel free to e-mail me at steve4wv yahoo.com and I will answer them promptly and honestly

[GrpCaptMandrake]

1. Ripley could use some new blood

especially in the Statehouse! Go Steve!

[eridani]

2. He needs money to go

Hint, hint! :patriot:

[Genki]

4. Hi, eridani!

Miss seeing you in Currents http://cafeutne.org/partners/guest/motet?enter+-uk6KC7+-v+NeverGiveUp

[GrpCaptMandrake]

3. I've sent Steve a note

inviting him to join the fight at "Head-On With Bob Kincaid."

Among the lessons that we democrats, liberals and progressives need to learn is the immense value of talkradio. 25 years of it nearly destroyed us. It's time for us to take back the airwaves and give people a chance to hear plain, common sense discussion. With maybe a little outrage from time to time, just because the Repiglicans invite it with their policies, prejudices and bigotry.

Here's how to listen www.whiterosesociety.org/Kincaid.html

Stream's up every night from 7 to 10 and the archives are always available for free.

Join in and be welcome!

[eridani]

5. Thanks--I'll post this information on my other lists n/t

[eridani]

6. And he took your advice and did exactly that

Results below--have a listen.

Hey, everyone. I am just writing to let you know that I appeared tonight on Head on with Bob Kincaid, and you can find the link on the Internet at http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Kincaid.html at the bottom of the page for "Tuesday, November 29, 2005." I come on about 2:20-2:25 minutes in and I am on for 15-20 minutes (The final hour was pretty busy and there were no commercials and he started the third hour at two minutes after instead of the customary six, and even with that the show still ran about three minutes long.) and I had a bit of nervous energy, but I think things went well.

[eridani]

7. Totals looking good against Repubs in the primary

Here are the unofficial vote totals from the primary (nominees are in bold print).

24 of 24 precincts reporting

Steve Nicholas (D) 1356 100%

Mitch Carmichael (R) 1181 81%
Randy Fisher (R) 274 19%

Steve could win this with a good ground game. If you're in the neighborhood, help out!

[Hubert Flottz]

8. That's great!

WTG!

[eridani]

9. Online donation form now available!

Try it--it works!

The online funding for the website is finally available. If you would like to help out in my efforts financially, please visit http://www.geocities.com/steve4wv/contributions.html and I can assure you that it will not be wasted. (If you want a rough guideline of some of the campaign expenses, here are some of the main expenses for the items I need, an order of 2000 postcards will cost $600, postage for an order of 2000 postcards will run $280-$400 depending on the size of the postcard, an order of 1000 pamphlets costs $50, one week of advertising at six column inches for each of the four papers that run in Jackson County is $98.)

[eridani]

10. A note from Steve about his debate to be on radio--

Hey, everyone. I was just writing to let you know that the first of two debates has been scheduled for my House of Delegates race. It will be Thur., Sept. 14 at 6:30 pm at the Ravenswood High School Auditorium, if anyone is interested and can make it. If you can't, the local talk-radio station may cover it live (one of the moderators is a host and the general manager of the station), but you can check closer to the time at http://www.wmov1360.com to see if they will.

[eridani]

11. Here is the reschedule

Hey, everyone. I am just writing to let you know that the debate has been rescheduled for tonight at 7 pm in the NYA Hall in Ravenswood. I am not sure if the local radio station will cover it or not, but you can check at the link I provided above. (I am not sure whether we will get the second debate off, but I've always known that this would be the key debate anyway.)

This solid young progressive Dem candidate could use some financial support.

[eridani]

12. An email from Steve on his debate

Here is the article that ran last week in the local newspaper on the debate. (The Parkersburg paper ran one, too, but I don't have copyright permission to run it.)

Candidates for House debate
Nicholas, Carmichael agree to disagree

By Mike Ruben
Jackson Newspapers

RAVENSWOOD-- Steve Nicholas and Mitch Carmichael basically agree to disagree.

The two Ripley residents are opponents in the Nov. 7 election for the 12th District seat in the House of Delegates. The district includes most of Jackson County, including Ravenswood and Ripley. Nicholas, who is a Democrat, is a political newcomer. Carmichael, the Republican incumbent, is seeking his fourth two-year term.

Their campaign paths crossed last week in Ravenswood when they agreed to a formal debate at the NYA Hall. A crowd of about <55> was in attendance as Chris Stirewalt of The State Journal served as the moderator.

Carmichael cited his legislative experience and noted the importance of having Republican representation in state government.

"West Virginia has had 75 years of one-party rule," he stated. "Where has that gotten us? We're last in most everything." He added that the only thing growing in West Virginia is state government.

Nicholas countered by suggesting that Jackson County could benefit by having a first-term delegate from the controlling party rather than by re-electing a fourth term lawmaker from the minority party. "We need to do what we can to stand up and make things better," he stated.

Both candidates were in agreement when it came to keeping a grip on payday lending companies in the state. Other than that issue, however, Carmichael and Nicholas stand on the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Consider the following views.

Nicholas favors a state-level action to raise the minimum wage. "Any West Virginian who is working 40 hours a week should not be living in poverty," he said. "We need to pay people what they're worth."

Carmichael counters by saying that action would only serve to chase more jobs away from the Mountain State. "You can't legislate wealth from the halls of Charleston. Making the minimum wage higher in West Virginia than it is in surrounding states would lead to fewer jobs here and discourage businesses from offering entry-level jobs. It's the wrong thing to do."

Carmichael staunchly opposes the state tax on groceries. He quoted an example that West Virginia does not charge a tax on lottery tickets, but does on food essentials such as milk and bread.

Nicholas states that he favors a plan that would reduce the tax over a period of time. "You can't get rid of it all at once," he stated. "I would support a plan to cut one percent per year."

Nicholas says the state should devote more time and money into alternative sources for energy with an emphasis on protecting the environment. Among other suggestions, he says investments could include development of wind energy in the Kenna area, turbines on the Ohio River, and a mass transit system connecting Parkersburg to Charleston.

Carmichael agreed that the nation needs to continue planning for the future, but noted that West Virginia has sufficient coal supplies to fuel the country for 400 years. His suggestion was to continue researching ways to use coal in cleaner and more efficient ways.

Nicholas, a graduate student and former president of the West Virginia University Young Democrats, says Americans should expect more from their government. He says he favors unionizing state employees, full public financing of political campaigns, and better health care coverage.

"The United States is the only industrialized nation without universal health care," he said. Nicholas noted that <294,000> state residents are not covered by health care insurance. "Obviously, the private sector plan is not working."

Carmichael has an opposing view on government, advocating tort and tax reforms to make the state more competitive. "The role of government is to set an equal playing field and then get out of the way and let the people prosper."