It is too bad that free thinking is out of fashion these days. Most politicos follow the party line rather than think for themselves. Whether it is the progressive Kool-Aid or the tea party Kool-Aid, it is still Kool-Aid. For instance, while I am pretty much a conservative, I don't toe the "conservative party" line. I will use entitlements as an example. Most conservatives vote a big "no" on entitlements. Unfortunately for them, they are huge beneficiaries of entitlements.

Many would argue they never took government handouts. Really? Here is a news flash, public education is a government entitlement. Sitting for 12 years in public school is a huge entitlement. And there is more -- public roads, the internet and most airports, for example.

Another area I don't toe the conservative party line is I don't buy the mantra that you need low taxes to grow the economy. Look at any chart of the economy and you will note that the economy grew hugely during Clinton's high tax years. Much more than in Reagan's years. Fact is, low tax rates don't influence the economy that much. I am pro life. Most conservative who say they are pro life are also for the death penalty. How does that work?

Len Shure, Pasco