Follow the money

As I write this letter, our country is in a state of financial crisis. However, Leonard Pitts Jr. (Miami Herald syndicated columnist), not unlike many other liberals, is still playing the labeling game, claiming conservatives are “bigger” liars than Democrats (column, April 18), based on the “ratings” of a nonpartisan (his word), fact-checking website called PolitiFact.

Check it out for yourselves. I did, and I can tell you, “truthfully,” it is far from nonpartisan.

The website rates a quote from Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. that says “abortion … is well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does” as “Pants On Fire!” While Kyl certainly overstated the amount, Pitts’ claim of 3 percent is a gross understatement.

Abortions may comprise only 3 percent of PP’s total “cases” but, in dollar amounts, the percentage is much higher.

When compared to total number of expenditures, my house payment is only around 4 to 5 percent of my total budget but, in dollar amounts, it’s closer to 30 percent. I tend to be more concerned with the percentage in terms of “dollars.”

Women have a “right” to be a part of 3 percent of PP’s cases. They do not, however, have a “right” to use “taxpayer dollars” to do so.

Don Hood

Spokane Valley