Thursday, February 22, 2007; A18

Social Security and Medicare are federal welfare programs, according to Robert J. Samuelson ["Welfare State Stasis," op-ed, Feb. 14], because each fits his definition of a welfare program ("current benefits for select populations, paid for by current taxes"), thereby bolstering his argument that the size of the welfare state has made federal budgeting an exercise in futility.

But Social Security and Medicare are not welfare programs, which are generally understood to be benefits, such as food stamps or Medicaid, given to people who demonstrate financial need.

Rather than being given their benefits, Social Security and Medicare recipients must endure double taxation to receive them: payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare throughout their working years and income taxes on Social Security benefits when they are received.

C. BERNARD BARFOOT

Alexandria