Recently, a friend of mine sent me a copy of a message from Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of the Social Security Administration, regarding the recent Social Security COLA increase of 2.3 percent, effective January 2008.

The message indicated a brief explanation of the time frame and index used in the computation and other general information.

There was one sentence that stood out, and I quote, “For our beneficiaries, the annual adjustment ensures that the buying power of their benefit remains strong.”

Unfortunately, Astrue is not in touch with the real world, the plight of so many of the recipients and the cost of the basic necessities that are required to survive.

Apparently Astrue has never heard the old saying, “It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Richard Smith, Lewiston