99 Mercury Cougar brake lights not working

All 3 brake lights not working (left, right, middle).

Everything else works like runner lights, reverse, hazards, signals, etc.

Replaced all fuses. Replaced all bulbs.

I pulled the brake light switch out and looked at it. Seemed to be fine? Not seeing anything weird? Then I put it back in. Still same problem.

When I unplug it, and try to go in gear, the car won't. When I plug it back in, the car WILL go into gear... so that should mean the wiring to the switch is okay, and I would only have to replace the switch right?

So I replaced the brake light switch... still... no brake lights

Fuses replaced... check
Bulbs replaced... check
Brake light switch replaced... check

Any other ideas?? Erg... I can't really afford to get it fixed but need to drive my car!!

I'm not much of a mechanic either lol.

Anybody?