As an avid reader of editorials and letters to the editor, I'm always fascinated by the great workmanship of some letters — and the sudden revelations people have, many of which are not factual.

I read one letter recently detailing the writer's objections to Republican leaders, such as Larry Helminiak, in which the writer slams their goals and political agendas.

Then, the writer made the assertion that he's an independent!

Whoa. Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but if you're an independent, why would you care what either party is promoting? You will be voting this year for, I assume, a candidate who is registered as an independent.

Remember, Maryland has yet to go so progressive that you can vote for anybody in a primary. (Some states have; why those states hold primaries at all baffles me.)

I couldn't help but then reflect on how my column mate here in The Eagle, "Liberal John" Culleton, and I share at least one thing — memories of a Carroll County that has seen at least a few political changes over the years.

I arrived in Carroll in 1946, and at that time — and up until the 1960s, I would say — the Democratic party was the party to be in if you wanted to get elected.

But it wasn't the same party of today. The 1960s saw the start of real growth in Carroll, fostered by demographic shifts in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

For instance, during and just after World War II, populations shifts started as the city's melting pot poured into the suburbs, and many Baltimore County residents began moving to more rural areas, some to Carroll.

Politically, that time in Carroll County was vastly different than it is now.

The Democratic party was dominant in the southern and the northern parts of the county, while Republican bastions were in Taneytown.

Election as a Democrat was easier back then!

In fact, I recall that in 1964, the Maryland Democratic Party was so afraid Alabama Gov. George Wallace would carry their presidential primary, that I was assigned to escort U.S. Sen. Daniel Brewster -- who was a stand-in candidate for President Johnson in the Maryland primary and who had cosponsored the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- and introduce him at a Carroll County Democratic rally at a Westminster restaurant.

The fear of losing to Wallace was well founded. I honestly believe, had Wallace not been shot, he might have won.

Today, there are still what I call "Carroll County Seeds" — Democrats in registration who simply will not change their party affiliation, even though the party has somewhat changed from them.

Or completely reversed — remember, in the 1860s it was the Republicans who were liberal progressives — the "Radical Republicans" held Congress in 1864. (I was slightly too young to vote back then.)

Perhaps my point is that through time, demographic moves and other shifts, we have become more diverse than many people think.

But whatever category we claim as our own — conservative, liberal, progressive, I suppose even independent — the common thread is a spirit of thinking, acting and providing for ourselves and our neighbors in need.

And taking action, too ... especially on election day.

That's the Carroll County party.

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