Disingenuous RINOs

I am a registered Republican, but don't let that fool you into thinking that I am a mindless party robot. Being a conservative, I chuckled when I read Mr. Tavares' letter as he bemoaned Democrats that love to blame Republicans for everything that goes wrong as well as their inability to work together within their own party to pass meaningful legislation.

Mr. Tavares, have you ever heard of the term "RINO?" It is a four letter acronym that stands for "Republican in name only."

For most of the previous two decades the Republicans have held majorities in both houses, even the presidency during some of them. That's at the federal level. At the state level, they've enjoyed virtual supremacy in our Legislature as well as uninterrupted gubernatorial control. Yet they've managed to turn Florida into "Little California" by adopting some of the most liberal tax schemes that the "Land o' Fruits and Nuts" could dream up.

Isn't it funny they always manage to find enough votes to pass legislation that close loopholes and tax write-offs for middle class workers, but when it came to meaningful legislation that could've helped working folks they never had enough votes? They blame those evil Democrats and the few RINOs lurking within the Republican party for their short-comings. The problem is only a third of Senate Republicans vote conservatively when they hold a majority in any given year and that's only because, nearing the end of their staggered six-year term, they are up for reelection.

A sober review of Republican majorities doesn't yield the seamlessly conservative record being peddled today. The federal government expanded under their watch and so did budget deficits and national debt. Their desire to outlaw abortion has never been seriously pursued. Their assault on entitlements never materialized, and they repeatedly ignored the fundamental conservative dogma that taxes should never be raised.

Rather than abolish the Departments of Energy and Education, as had been promised, Republicans added a new cabinet-level department, one of the largest federal agencies, the Department of Homeland Defense. They've managed to gain even more control of our lives through the Patriot Act, out-of-control spending and bank bailouts!

That brings me to Mr. Stathis' letter; in it he asks "How's that hope and change working?" I ask what change? As I see it, we're continuing down that same old path we've been on for the past two decades. I voted for change, but there hasn't been any, just more of the same. Just bigger and better, sarcasm intended; more bailouts and stimulus too now!

This time I'm going to vote out all incumbents and where I can I will vote for conservatives. If nobody meets that criteria. I will vote for third-party candidates. You needn't keep pointing fingers guys, last time I looked both Democrats and Republicans were in office before the economy finally collapsed.

Maybe it's time to give another party a chance. I for one am fed up with these two.

Lorne DeWitt

Brooksville