I believe the recent column by Republican official Luanne Van Werven on "failed liberal ideas" is riddled with errors, but I'll address only the most obvious. My wife and I recently moved here from Indiana, which Van Werven refers to as an "incubator of brilliant reform." It's an incubator all right... of unpleasant things which she'd be aware of had she spent over 65 years living there. Indiana's low taxes, rampant privatization and limited government help make it the third-dirtiest state in the nation according to a recent study. It's widely thought that using the environment for a free toilet always boosts the economy but that same study has Indiana's economy at 40th nationally. Economist Morton Marcus calls Indiana "an environmental disgrace and a national joke."

As for the "genius of the private sector," who was it that recently crashed the global economy, defrauded millions of Americans and cost taxpayers billions in bailouts?

Lastly, just for balance, let's look at what conservative ideas have accomplished over the years. I believe conservatives have fought nearly every decent thing this nation has ever done, like revolting against the British in 1776; ending slavery and child labor; setting up Social Security, Medicare and extending civil rights.

Take my word for it... Washington is so much nicer than poor dirty conservative Indiana and I'm hoping we liberals can keep it that way.

Jack Miller

Bellingham