I believe a letter from Luanne Van Werven, chair of the Whatcom County Republican Party, that ran in the Oct. 15 edition of The Bellingham Herald is misleading, and should be corrected. She states that a "block-buster article (in USA Today) concedes that, 'Income is growing much faster in Republican-leaning 'red states' than in Democratic-tilting 'blue states'...' "

What she doesn't mention is that the USA Today article went on to explain that the reason is that the "big drivers of red state income growth (are) energy and government benefit payments such as food stamps."

Interestingly, GOP-leaning states get more in federal funding than they contribute in federal taxes. According to the facts, of the 32 states which receive more than they contribute, 27 states (84 percent) are Republican. Of the 18 states which contribute more than they receive, 14 states (78 percent) are Democratic, according to PolitiFact.com.

I find a prominent Republican is once again only telling you half the truth. For example, they are quick to mention our slow economic recovery, but not the fact that Republicans have done everything they could to obstruct President Obama and his bills to help the country.

If Van Werven wants to live in a red state so badly, I suggest she move to Alabama.

The choice couldn't be more clear. Turn Whatcom County, and keep Washington state, "blue" this November.

Kevin Leja

Bellingham