Normally, I don't do letters to the editor (heh) but this one on the Split The State Movement...

Is worthy of your consideration:

'Idawa' is the solution

Residents of Washington West are missing an opportunity with representatives of Washington East wanting to form another state. Representatives of Washington West should be contacting Idaho to see if they wish to purchase Washington East. Idaho has that skinny little neck all along the border and surely they want more land for grain and potatoes (not to mention a university or two).

It would be a win-win situation for Washington West and Idaho. Washington West would solve the tax problem for years to come, Idaho would obtain more bulk, new tax base plus a more stately profile. The new name for this state could be Idawa, or, if Idaho got a large company involved in the purchase, they could have naming rights.

If this came to pass, Washington West would have enough money to purchase Oregon West and design light rail from Seattle to Eugene. Idaho might be interested in Oregon East, too. The name would be ORE-IDA. (Hmmm, sounds familiar).

Let's not jump to just dividing the state; let's make some money at it.

Susan Harvey

Vancouver

(Props to The Columbian for printing it.)