Readers Write 10/30

SOCIAL SECURITY

Cost of living actually went down from 2008

Re “As cost of living rises for seniors, so should the size of their checks” (Opinion, Oct. 20): the Social Security Administration is not denying a 2010 cost-of-living adjustment. They are just following the law. The consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W), averaged for July through September 2009, has not increased since the same months of 2008. In fact, it has decreased.

How did this happen, the cost of living going down since last year?

In mid-2008, gasoline and commodity prices had spiked upward. Last year’s Social Security benefit increase was based on these unusually high prices, but even as the first increased payment was sent 11 weeks later, falling gasoline and commodity prices had led the CPI-W back down 4.7 percent. Arguably, Social Security recipients started out 2009 ahead.

They are still ahead. Social Security benefits are not indexed; they are ratcheted and can never go down. Can you imagine the outcry if Social Security payments fell 2.1 percent in January, 2010?

Maybe the CPI-W is the wrong measure of retiree cost of living. Maybe we need a retiree-centered cost of living index. But should Social Security recipients get a different, possibly better, deal than Social Security taxpayers?

Jeffrey Groves, Atlanta


MEDIA

Pitts not fair in his assessment of Fox News

In “Why don’t I trust Fox?” (Opinion, Oct. 8), Leonard Pitts expresses concerns with Fox’s “untruths,” even though every instance he cited is in reference to an opinion show, similar in nature to his own column. If he wants to be fair, he should also look at the blatant political reporting by the so-called “reputable” media, who waste no opportunity to distort the truth, report only one side of the news, or misreport the news.

In “Lawsuit against memorial creates false cross to bear” (Opinion, Oct. 15), he rails about a war memorial cross because it is a “religious” symbol.

How intolerant. Perhaps Mr. Pitts should heed his own advice, “to live at peace in a pluralistic society is to perfect the art of give and take, live and let live.”

Clinton D. Gortney, Conyers

GOVERNMENT

Carter realizes potential for peace Obama brings

Former President Jimmy Carter describes why President Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize (“Obama deserved award, Carter says,” Metro, Oct. 17). Carter has the global experience to assess the rationale and impact of Obama’s award.

As the leader of the free world, with the world’s most powerful military, the United States must demonstrate a willingness to explore and interact with all the players. No one else could do it. Obama has given this effort a fresh start.

Carter remarks, “He’s transformed the image of America around the world; he’s stopped the practice of torture; he’s called for and taken leadership in doing away with nuclear weapons.”

The officials who awarded the prize to Obama interpreted his early actions and emphasis as the most significant and effective way to move the world peace process forward.
JERRY HULSHULT, CANTON