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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 17, 1992                   TAG: 9202170228
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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POPULIST IDEAS WEREN'T DISCREDITED

An EDITORIAL Feb. 5 charged that Councilman Bowers "is operating the longest-running populist show in town." Are representing the working class, a graduated federal income tax, and the initiative and referendum bad ideas?

I should hope not. The Populist Party (People's Party) faded because prosperity in America returned, and because the Democrats adopted many of their ideas. The fact that prosperity returned does not make the struggle to better oneself moot.

People need to rally for Mr. Bowers to ensure his nomination at the convention on Feb. 22. Let's do what is best for Roanoke by nominating the excellence and experience of Councilman Bowers. DAVID W. WILSON ROANOKE

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