Disability benefits are hard to get
Once again, we have a very wealthy congressman and well-paid bureaucrats in Washington labeling Social Security disability recipients as lazy cheats. It's the same old complaint about a handful of judges awarding disability benefits in too many cases. The complainers fail to mention the Social Security Administration already has the authority to review any judicial award of disability benefits it deems improper. The complainers won't tell you it is extremely difficult to get Social Security disability benefits, with only four in 10 applicants ever approved. In fact, one in five men and and nearly one in six women die within five years of being approved for disability benefits. Does this sound like an easy program? The modest but vital assistance Social Security disability benefits provide makes it possible for individuals with severe disabilities and health problems to live independently, pay for health insurance, and keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Thank God we have independent federal judges to decide these cases on the merits without interference from outsiders.
RICHARD W. GORDON, Dale Buchanan & Associates
Do not discount anthropology major
The recent letter, "A Matter of Degree," told of a young man who graduated with a degree in anthropology but was never employed as an anthropologist. As a professor of anthropology at UTC I attend a number of student orientations and am often asked the following question: What will I (or my son or daughter) be able to do with a degree in anthropology? Today's job market is certainly highly competitive, but acquiring skills in cultural competency (being able to interact effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds) and learning how to conduct research in a holistic fashion are relevant and applicable to a wide range of careers. We live in a thriving economic region with opportunities for jobs in health care, tourism, education and industry. We daily participate in an ever expanding global economy, so learning about other cultures lays an important foundation for a global perspective. I have observed students pursue majors in more "practical" fields and then not successfully complete a degree program because they are inherently uninterested and uninspired. The successful completion of a degree in anthropology adds value to any employment situation.
PAMELA ASHMORE, Ph.D.