BENEFITS
Social Security needs more staff for claims
Contrary to the claims in “Report: Social Security lax on claims” (News, Sept. 14), few administrative law judges award benefits to claimants with inadequate review. Three reasons judges reverse approximately 50 percent of the cases they hear are new medical evidence of disability, claimants’ medical conditions worsen or Social Security officials at earlier stages misjudge existing medical evidence.
That one judge can decide an average of 1,800 cases per year suggests a target of 500 decisions per judge per year is not unreasonable. If Congress gave the Social Security Administration more money, it could hire more judges and staff, and process additional applications more efficiently. Social Security is a lifeline for many Americans.
GARY FLACK, ATLANTA
FAITH
We need wisdom to use computer tools
Someone sits in the safety of his own home before his computer, and lets go a tirade against someone across the world whose religion he does not approve — and people die. We are given tools, but not the wisdom to use them well. There are many religions, but zealots insist on attacking a particular one, not caring that while it does not put him in harm’s way, it endangers the lives of many others who profess his same religion (but who are working to promote the peace his religion is supposed to offer). If you believe in your own faith, why do you waste your time putting down the faith of others? Most faiths call us to something beyond ourselves, and we have enough to do by trying to live up to that call.
MADELINE G. KORFF, CANTON
U.S. AID
President’s response to chaos not working
President Barack Obama’s response to chaos in the Middle East is not working. It is time to hold countries accountable for their actions. The check from the United States will not be in the mail this week, or any week, to countries that harbor terrorists or fail to protect our embassies and their employees. The American taxpayer cannot support a president who continues to alienate our allies — while sending our tax dollars to countries that harbor terrorists and hoping that they behave.
THEA ROESER, ATLANTA
MEDALS
Stolen Valor law honors true heroes
Congratulations to our representatives who passed penalties for violating the Stolen Valor law (“Vote gives teeth to Stolen Valor law,” News, Sept. 14). What is deplorable is that three voted against this bill. This action will somewhat correct what some people believe was an erroneous ruling by the Supreme Court against the original act. While some think this is a free speech issue, it most certainly is not. For certain individuals to falsely claim credit for medals that they didn’t earn denigrates the true heroes in our military who have earned the right to wear those medals.
JEROME JERNIGAN, ATLANTA
