to dismantle all those separate agencies, convert their buildings to retraining centers, and pay everyone $25 and hour directly? Huge savings all around and most people would be happier.

(Anyway, the math is a bit screwy. Average and median are not the same thing; Maine isn't the same as all of America, and nobody knows how those benefits are given their $ value, or where the money actually goes.)

before some one goes off half cocked its not a lefty or a righty problem ;it is a voter problem! we need to clean up this corporation welfare and rubber stamp projects that get passed because of mis-information groups funded by the top 5% in this country! anyone who has seen the agenda of "alec" , tea party or any other group funded by the Koch brothers,big oil,coal etc. should realize their soul purpose is to shift the tax burden and increase the profit margin regardless of the destruction of the enviorment or the working class.
we as the working class need to be heard! we need to come together and expel those who are elected by our vote then lock step to vote against what the people want! (they work for us not a corporation)(corporation are run by people who lobby our elected officials)
In the last 25 years the worker has lost pensions,healthcare 40 hour work week union busting WAKE UP AMERICA YOUR UNDER ATTACK FORM WITHIN!