MYTH: Conservative equals fiscal sense

There is this prevailing myth that is prevalent in both the media and the mind of the average voter that adhering to fiscal conservatism means that you are a fiscally responsible person. This is completely false. Conservatives have done the most damage to our nation's debt load by reducing taxes for the wealthy, and increasing subsidies for agribusiness and big oil. They've increased military spending on overseas military bases and unnecessary weapons research. They've prevented needed reforms to Medicare that would reduce costs. They've increased funding on the failing drug war that incarcerates millions while creating no reductions in drug use.

So the next time a candidate claims to be "fiscally conservative," ignore them because so-called fiscal conservatives like Bush and Reagan are responsible for our nation's overwhelming debt.

JESSE WEDEWER

Hayden