In her town hall meeting (Aug. 23), U.S. congressional candidate Lisa Brown (D) said “People want an independent voice.” Really? According to a Tacoma News Tribune article (May 8, 2012), “Lisa Brown: Too Liberal for Spokane but Just Fine Over Here,” Lisa “certainly is liberal on social issues. Her support for an income tax puts her on the left … and her lawsuit against the two-thirds majority for tax hikes was wrong … Brown is better known in Spokane but is certainly more appreciated on ‘the coast.’”

She certainly is: Voting for tax increases totaling $2.6 billion in her 20-year career, including pushing for a state income tax (VoteSmart.org). No wonder she thinks being called a liberal is “unnecessary.” The shoe fits, and she is certainly no “independent voice.”

Mark Duclos

Spokane Valley