In response to the letter by Leslie Carda about 1-522 (“Vote ‘no’ and keep government small,” Oct. 16) her talking points (credit Monsanto) were both wrong and exaggerated.

According to Ms. Carda, the bill would “create a new layer of government to oversee the new labeling and claims.” In a recent article, The Seattle Times estimated that labeling would result in an increase of 4.6 jobs to the already existing Department of Health.

As to costs, it might be helpful to remember that when nutritional facts were added to labels in the 1990s, it was accomplished at no additional expense to the customer.

The bigger question is that If the food chemical corporations are giving us is so safe, why are they afraid of labeling.

Ms. Carda went on to write that labeling would “cost us our hard-earned dollars.” Give me a break. Alerting customers to GM ingredients by labeling would come to all of 10 cents.

Let me ask Ms. Carda this: If GM food is so good for you, why are Monsanto and the other chemical companies afraid to have their brand on the label?

I-522 is an important initiative for the state of Washington and the nation. Let’s not cloud the issue with misinformation and exaggeration.

— Brian Brown