Benefits packages soaring: Why should we even work?

The Issue: A study showing that a mother of two in New York can receive $38,004 in welfare benefits.

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I see more bang from my taxes going to local families via welfare than to corporate offices or state and federal politicians ("When Welfare Pays Better Than Work," Michael Tanner, PostOpinion, Aug. 19).

The families receiving housing subsides pay the property taxes deducted by landlords. Food-stamp programs benefit the locally owned grocery stores. School-lunch menus support the local agricultural business.

Benefits packages paid to the highest-salaried citizens in my area could go to zero-tax accounts or out-of-state recreation — or deductible "business" activities that are actually individual and family travel.

A week of groceries purchased with food stamps.AP

If what Tanner says is true about welfare being too generous, then what do you call the benefits we give to the rich and trust-fund babies?

J. Marie Gates

Meridian, Idaho

Tanner says a working mother needs to earn $21 per hour to reach the same level of total benefits of a nonworking mother. I wonder if this math is accurate, since the working mother might qualify for public-assistance programs for her household and children, and might receive benefits from her employer. I also wonder how much she might pay in taxes, with her dependents and other deductions.

The welfare system can provide specific disincentives to seek earned income, but I'm not sure those numbers tell the whole story.

Peter Grigorakakis

Manchester, NH

Welfare reforms should relax cut-off points, so a mother would not lose all welfare benefits if her wage exceeds an "unrealistically low" income. It seems the cut-off is designed to keep her on welfare instead of providing a "leg up." If she is going to lose benefits, she'll stay on welfare.

Don Campbell

Buhl, Idaho

Tanner should live on the $38,000 aggregate of subsidies he seems to think the average, unmarried mother of two receives in New York City. When he realizes there is no money left for a $12 martini — or whatever mixed drink slides him into his delusion — or the educational system is stacked against his children getting a fair shake, he would also realize that his words are untrue and harmful. Roderick Wells