keyword meta tag = a demoting factor?

Guys - been testing a concept, it seems that having your primary keyword in your "keyword meta tag" is now a demoting factor.

Take a look at the top ranked pages for "florida dui lawyer", or "new york dui lawyer". the top pages either do not have keyword meta tag or if they do, they do not have the exact word "CITY dui lawyer"

thoughts?

I don't use keyword meta tag on my sites, I do add the main keyword to the title and meta description though

I dont use them, I read somewhere that its not imoportant, not any more.