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Published Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006

Bowlin Decries Putnam, War

By Bill Rufty
The Ledger

LAKELAND -- Ed Bowlin had to give up his Lake Wales air conditioning and refrigeration business a few years ago because of a work-associated illness. So he decided then and there he was going to get a college degree in politics and run for office.

He is running for the 12th Congressional District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow while completing his degree online through Troy State University, he said.

Bowlin, 44, is running under the label of "no party affiliation" as is a second challenger to Putnam, Joe Viscusi of Lakeland. Because the two challengers are independents, all three will meet in the Nov. 7 general election.

"The politicians just don't listen to people and no one can figure out why," Bowlin said. "They are only concerned with what goes on in Washington."

Bowlin said he wants to make his campaign one of issues and has written position papers and pamphlets on several of them.

A key issue where he says he disagrees with Congress is immigration. He said that business owners must be held liable for employing illegal immigrants, an issue that Putnam has spoken against saying it isn't practical.

"Polls show most people want to stop illegal immigration and they don't want amnesty (for illegal immigrants).

"I support protecting our borders, building a fence the length if necessary and getting strict on companies that hire illegal immigrants," he said. "We need to cut off food programs and medical benefits for those here illegally, which would create the situation where they have to go back to their native countries."

Bowlin said that a dedicated public servant doesn't have to be a member of one of the two majority parties.

"What my campaign is all about is following the will of the people, not following Democrat or Republican policies.

"Another example is (Putnam's) support of trade agreements. The majority don't want any more NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) agreements. He is not representing the majority.

"We need to repatriate our troops and do it soon," Bowlin said, supporting a pullout from Iraq. "When America was fighting a world superpower for its independence, we went through several phases. We were a confederation before we became a republic. It took time to assimilate into a nation. And we are going to have to get out and let the government of Iraq assimilate into a nation. We were told that their oil reserves would pay for their government and yet we are spending billions over there."

Bowlin grew up and has lived in the Lake Wales area since he was 5. He and wife Sondra have seven children and two grandchildren.

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives serves for a term of two years and receives an annual salary of $165,200.

Ledger Political Editor Bill Rufty can be reached at bill.rufty@theledger.com or 863-802-7523.


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