No Inflation! Says Who?

Dear Mr. President.

The news is out that people who are disabled, veterans and retirees on fixed incomes will not receive a cost of living adjustment to their income due to the recession and a lack of inflation.

"With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will not automatically increase in 2010." (SSA)

Sir, I beg to differ.

While government reports claim that we've been "deflating", I'm afraid the cost of living is still on the raise.... a lot. The truth of it is plainly obvious if you purchase gasoline for your vehicle, pay user and registration fees, buy insurance, milk, bread and other food products. Here is a very short list with the 2008 price, the 2010 price and the percent of change:

Ground chuck: $2.59 lb $3.29 lb. +27%
Milk: $1.99 qt. $2.39 qt. +20%
Peanut Butter: $4.29 16oz. $5.29 16oz. +25%
Regular Gasoline $2.24 Gal. $2.81 Gal. +25%

The Consumer Price Index, used to calculate inflation for cost of living increases, must be seriously flawed. It includes sample items such as housing, apparel, medical spending, transportation, etc. (Beureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But while food and transportation costs are going up in double digits, it is only the housing market has been bottoming out. I do not believe you can seriously say that we are in a deflationary climate when only one item on the list has lost its value. Additionally, the loss of revenue from those devalued homes has caused a snowballing effect on state and local governments who have also increased the fees for necessities, such as vehicle titling, registration, license plate and driver's license renewal, and businesses that have to raise prices to make up for lost patronage.

Most people, especially those on fixed incomes, are not buying homes after they started receiving SSI, disability or in many cases military retirement. Very few are buying homes as the monthly reports indicate. Besides, which of those on fixed incomes would willingly sell their home in this housing environment? All of this weighs heavily on the average Social Security, Disability recipients and retired military.

And, now, as if to slap us in the face, the BLS reports the CPI-U to be 2.7% as of December 2009. This means the policy of attempting to balance the federal budget on the backs of those on fixed incomes must be based on incorrect information or was, is, simply a ruse.

Mr. President, alter the way the CPI is calculated and apply a reasonable cost of living increase for all Americans who are receiving SSI, disability and honor those who served this nation and are receiving military retirements.

Thank you for your support.

Rules of Engagement: You're killing us.

This letter is self explanatory...

sent: 18 February 2010


Dear Mr. President,

As Commander in Chief, you are charged with defending this nation without sacrificing more American blood and treasure than is necessary to defeat the enemy. It is clear to me that there is an element of this missing; protecting the troops.

Protecting the troops brings at least one requirement; they must be able to destroy the enemy where they are found.

So far, the evidence of this simple concept happening in Afghanistan is lacking due to the rules of engagement we are told. These rules apparently prohibit our troops from killing or capturing Taliban fighters in many circumstances.

The sad fact is that many people will die, suffer crippling injuries and be traumatized by war. The best we can do to minimize the horror of war is to allow our troops to fight the war to win as quickly as possible. But these rules are hamstringing our troops. Reports Americans are hearing tell stories of our troops observing targets (buildings) for as long 72 hours before taking any action. Others say that during a firefight, the enemy will put down their weapons and simply walk away from our forces and our troops are required to let them go. They cannot be detained, captured or have any force used against them.

This policy will only prolong the war along with the suffering for both the Afghan people and our troops and their families. Not to mention the additional cost incurred by prolonging the fighting.

I understand the rules of engagement are designed to help win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. But we are going about it the wrong way. The Afghans respect power and the willingness to fight for your cause and they spit on slackers and cowards. Before you win their confidence you will have to demonstrate that we can protect them from the Taliban and the way to do that is by destroying or capturing Taliban fighters whenever we engage them. Having the local population observe the Taliban fighters literally thumbing their noses at us while they stroll away from the battlefield is winning nothing.

I hope you take this letter seriously and reconsider the rules of engagement as I send it with the best of intentions.

Thank you for your service.

Navy SEALs: Drop the Charges

Dear Mr. President,

It seems that political correctness has taken over and has resulted in three US Navy Seals being court marshaled for doing their duty. The charge appears to be based on the word of one terrorist against the word of 3 of America’s finest.

As Commander in Chief of all US armed forces, you are charged with being the leader. As all military leaders know, the priorities are mission first, then looking out for the men and women who volunteer to forgo some of their inalienable rights to protect all of our rights in this greatest nation.

Our brave, selfless soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, are watching this situation and it could have a significant negative effect on morale. This an excellent reason to put a stop to the proceedings. As Commander in Chief, you have the authority to stop it.

Note that many media outlets are reporting that the U.S. Congress is taking the lead in ending this show trial. Their actions may leave you to appear lacking in the leadership required to be Commander in Chief. This will undermine your authority and reduce your presidency to that of just another politician who allows events to lead them, instead of the other way around.

I recommend that you quietly call off the courts marshal and display the leadership we all know is within you.

Thank you for your support

Afghanistan: Obama's Vietnam?

Note: The President is saying he needs time to respond to his General's request for 40,000 more troops, citing a need for a clear policy. But he stated his Afghanistan policy during his campaign and again last March after he was sworn is as President; Win the "right" war.

Dear Mr. President.

I’m seeing a repeat of history in the Afghanistan situation that could turn it into your personal Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the President did not allow the military to do those things that would result in a fast and overwhelming victory. Instead, it was allowed to drag along until the political will to win vanished along with the lives of over 50,000 US men and women soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.

Your Generals have it right; more troops are needed in Afghanistan to bring it to an end with victory for the Afghan people.

A force that cannot hold real estate they take due to a shortage of fighting men and women will fight a circular war. One where terrorists are forced out in one area only to have it re-taken by them when our troops move on to another area without leaving a sufficient force to hold the land; A repeat of the situation that existed in Iraq, where terrorists were removed from cities, such as Fallujah, only to return. We were fighting for the same real estate over and over again. Not only does this prolong the war, but it puts more of troops at risk and promises that there will be no end in sight.

Mr. President, do not wait for the bodies of American service men and women to pile up as happened in Vietnam. Give the Generals what they need and instruct them to win the peace.

Thank you for your service.

His Name is Private William A. Long

6/4/2009, 2:57 PM

Dear Mr. President

It appears you now have your first terrorists attack within the borders of the United States of America.

His name is Private William A. Long, age 23, from Conway, Arkansas, and he is another casualty of the war on terror. His family will morn their loss and miss him. PVT Long was standing in front of the US Army Recruiter’s office in Little Rock, Arkansas when a Muslim terrorist murdered him three days ago.

There is a very troubling aspect to this tragic and wholly unnecessary event. You, as Commander in Chief could not find time in your busy day to make any public comment on this tragedy. It has been 3 days since he was cut down in early adulthood and you have not found the time or the will to say anything about it.

The reason this is so troubling is because you did find time, within hours, to express your distaste for the “heinous act of violence” against an abortionist who also was tragically murdered.

I believe you have allowed liberal partisan politics to cloud your judgment. Who is more worthy of the attention of the President of the United States, an abortionist or a US Soldier? Which one works for you, for all of us, and which one worked for himself?

The answer is clear to responsible Americans. Moreover, our military personnel are witnessing your priorities.

Thank you for your Support.