01
出于对奇石的共同爱好，老钟和十几个同好组成一个小圈子，相约每个双休日聚会，交流一下拣石、玩石、赏石的心得。
第一次聚会，大家都带着自认为最好的藏品，相互展示品鉴，一时欢声笑语，气氛热烈。
参加聚会的十几个人职业各异，也算得上三教九流，聚在一起却都有一种相见恨晚的感觉。
话题一多，不知不觉就说到晌午，老钟兴奋地大声说：“中午我管饭，咱们去酒店喝一杯，庆贺大家找到了组织！”
众人立即鼓掌表示赞同，一行人来到酒店，订了个大包间，边吃边聊，一顿饭吃得十分欢畅。
老钟是某机关的中层干部，管着一个不大不小的部门，报销一顿饭钱还是没问题的。
02
第二次聚会，依然聊得投机。
到了中午，大家都拿眼睛看老钟。
老钟犹豫了一下，起身说：“走吧，我请客！”饭后结账，连酒带菜一千多块，老钟黑着脸付了账。
03
第三次聚会，临近中午，众人的目光依然落在老钟身上。
老钟低着头，默不作声。
一个人笑着说：“老钟，你是干部，有权。”
另一个人说：“是啊老钟，有权不用，过期作废哩！”
老钟张了张嘴，想说什么，但他一向爱面子，终于什么也没说，起身挥手，“走吧，喝酒去！”
散了席，老钟走在后面，远远听见前面一个人说：“这老钟，还算够意思！”
另一个人说：“嘁，还不是用公款！”
话音入耳，老钟胃里一阵反酸，差点没把刚喝的酒吐出来。
要知道，老钟的职位可容不得他无限制地报账，后两次聚餐他都是自掏腰包的。
再聚会时，老钟没有参加。一开始大家都没注意，到了饭点儿众人用目光搜寻他时，才发现他不在。
一个人说：“老钟呢？”
另一个人也说：“是呀，老钟怎么没来？”
众人谈兴未消，于是决定这次去酒店打平伙。
饭后，每个人平摊了一百多元的饭费。
众人鱼贯走出包间时，心中都对老钟产生了些许怨气，仿佛腰包里失去的这一百多元钱是被老钟抢走了。
一个人说：“这老钟，真不够意思！”
另一个人愤愤不平的说：“是啊，官不大，架子倒不小，拽什么拽！”
故事完了，哲理太深了！
这是一个我们必须明白的道理：
第一次为一个人提供帮助时，他会对你心存感激；
第二次他的感恩心理就会淡化；
到了N次以后，他简直就理直气壮地认为这都是应该为他做的；
而当你不能继续提供这种好处时，他会对施助者心存怨恨。
如果用经济学的概念解释，这是一种“感恩的边际效应”。
即：在受到帮助的人心中，对提供帮助的人的感激会递减而递减到一定程度上，受助者几乎已经坦然地接受别人的馈赠，并认为这理所应当。
最后，受助者提出更多的要求，并丝毫在心理上不觉得这有任何不妥。
就像小说结尾，施舍的人反而被一群被施舍的人痛恨。
人情，是越用越薄的东西。记住，不爱那么多，只爱一点点。
Is a low income or prolonged unemployment truly cause for financial stress? According to one study, not really. In some states, public assistance programs, or welfare, could pay more than full-time, minimum-wage jobs.
Cato Institute’s 2013 Work Versus Welfare Trade-Off study totaled the welfare benefits offered in each state and compared that value with the wages workers would need to earn in order to have an equivalent take-home income. Cato found for long-term dependents, welfare actually pays pretty well. The study examined the package for a single mother with two children, who could use programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps); Medicaid; housing assistance; utility assistance; and Women, Infants, and Children.
The results? Recipients of this assistance earned more than the average pre-tax, first-year wage for a teacher in 11 states and more than the starting wage for a secretary in 39 states. This means welfare beneficiaries could make a better living off public assistance programs than they would working full-time jobs at minimum wage in many states — prompting the study to infer that many are likely to choose welfare over work should this trend continue.
But we took the results of this report a bit further to see which states have the biggest gap between the hourly minimum wage equivalent welfare recipients get and the state-mandated amount. When broken down into an hourly wage equivalent, we found the welfare package exceeded minimum-wage jobs in 34 states, as of their 2017 minimum wages. On the other hand, in states, such as Maine, Texas, Florida, and Mississippi, working a minimum-wage job was more profitable than a welfare package. But they’re really just outliers.
Unfortunately, the pay gaps are larger than you could ever imagine. Here are the top 15 states where welfare recipients are paid more than minimum wage. (Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina were omitted from The Cheat Sheet’s analysis, as they do not currently have state-mandated minimum wages.)
15. Pennsylvania: $6.53 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $29,817
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $28,670
- Hourly wage equivalent: $13.78
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $7.25
Imagine if your employer gave you a $6 per hour pay increase for your time and effort on the job. It’s safe to say that raise would be pretty significant. Pennsylvania residents see the same discrepancy between hourly welfare payout equivalents and the statewide minimum wage. In fact, those who receive public assistance are paid $6.53 more than those working full-time, minimum-wage jobs, according to Cato and the National Conference of State Legislatures wage data.
Next: One of the Dakotas pays a lot in welfare-assistance programs.
14. North Dakota: $6.61 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $30,681
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $28,830
- Hourly wage equivalent: $13.86
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $7.25
North Dakota has seen success as a state with one of the highest gross domestic products per capita and a lowunemployment rate of 2.5%, as of May 2017. Even those on welfare seem to benefit financially from the state’s success, as the hourly welfare payout equivalent is $6.61 per hour higher than the statewide minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Next: A Western state where welfare recipients are paid over $7 more than minimum wage
13. Nevada: $7.09 per hour difference
Nevada is one of the states with the biggest welfare payout. | Ethan Miller/Getty Images
- Total welfare benefits package: $31,409
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $29,820
- Hourly wage equivalent: $14.34
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $7.25 ($8.25 with no health benefits)
We continue our westward journey to the next state with the biggest welfare and minimum wage pay gap. Nevada’s statewide minimum wage is no higher than the national wage of $7.25 for jobs with health benefits. But welfare recipients are receiving over $7 more in wage equivalencies than those earning minimum wage. Does this substantial assistance benefit deter recipients from ever entering the workforce? Only time will tell.
Next: This state has a high minimum wage that’ll just keep rising.
12. California: $7.37 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $35,287
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $37,160
- Hourly wage equivalent: $17.87
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $10.50
California was one of 19 states to raise their minimum wages in 2017. It currently resides at $10.50 and will increase until it reaches $15 in 2022. Much to the chagrin of other low-wage fully employed workers, residents who are on welfare in this Western state see a $7.37 hourly difference between welfare and minimum wage payouts.
Next: An East Coast state where welfare outweighs work
11. Maryland: $9.10 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $35,672
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $38,160
- Hourly wage equivalent: $18.35
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $9.25
Maryland is the first of many New England states to appear on this list where welfare pays more than minimum wage. And even though its unemployment numbers are keeping close tabs on the national rate at 4.2%, Cato’s theory that collecting welfare is easier than working could be accurate in this instance. Here, there is a $9.10 discrepancy between money earned by working a minimum-wage job and receiving a welfare package.
Next: Even Vermont’s higher minimum wage doesn’t cut it.
10. Vermont: $10.36 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $37,705
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $42,350
- Hourly wage equivalent: $20.36
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $10
Vermont offers a minimum wage higher than most of its neighboring states, so why would some choose not to work? Americans on welfare in Vermont can earn over $20 per hour based on the pre-tax wage equivalent of their assistance benefits. That equates to a $10.36 per hour difference — more than double — the earnings for residents working minimum-wage jobs in the state.
Next: Wyoming is stingy with the welfare, but it still makes a difference.
9. Wyoming: $10.53 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $33,119
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $32,620
- Hourly wage equivalent: $15.68
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $5.15
Wyoming offers one of the lowest welfare benefits packages on this list. However, residents here can still earn more than the proposed $15 national minimum wage many Americans want. Wyoming’s minimum wage is a low $5.15, but welfare payouts still provide over $10.53 more than those who work full-time, minimum-wage jobs.
Next: A tiny state with a big welfare gap
8. Rhode Island: $11.23 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $38,632
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $43,330
- Hourly wage equivalent: $20.83
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $9.60
The tiniest state in the country has one of the biggest differences between welfare and minimum wage payouts — a $11.23 per hour difference to be exact. To put the wage gap in perspective, those on welfare could earn more per hour than median hourly wages for auto mechanics and human resources assistants.
Next: Connecticut is in a similar situation.
7. Connecticut: $11.23 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $38,761
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $44,370
- Hourly wage equivalent: $21.33
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $10.10
In terms of pay gaps, Connecticut and Rhode Island are pretty similar. They both have a $11.23 per hour difference between welfare and minimum-wage payouts. However, Connecticut’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average at 4.9%. It also offers a slightly larger welfare package, making it the state with the seventh largest welfare and minimum wage discrepancy.
Next: The pay difference in the Big Apple is substantial.
6. New York: $11.31 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $38,004
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $43,700
- Hourly wage equivalent: $21.01
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $9.70
New York’s minimum wage varies across the state, depending on geographic location and employer size. Residents in New York City can earn a minimum wage as high as $13, where others only earn $9.70 per hour. Regardless, welfare recipients in the state could earn $11.31 more than minimum-wage workers.
Next: Yet another New England state
5. New Hampshire: $11.86 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $37,160
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $39,750
- Hourly wage equivalent: $19.11
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $7.25
Although its neighbor to the north, Maine, is the only New England state where welfare recipients are actually paid less than minimum wage, New Hampshire residents are another story entirely. In fact, the Cato data shows this state has the fifth largest pay gap between minimum wage and welfare at $11.86 per hour.
Next: The nation’s capital
4. Washington, D.C.: $11.93 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $43,099
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $50,820
- Hourly wage equivalent: $24.43
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $12.50
Washington, D.C., is no stranger to financial “best of” and “worst of” lists. With such a high cost of living, its welfare package for a single mom with two children is one of the top in the country. But when accounting for the difference between the welfare and minimum-wage payouts, those receiving public assistance can earn nearly $12 more than those working full-time, minimum-wage jobs.
Next: What’s with New Jersey?
3. New Jersey: $12.45 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $38,728
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $43,450
- Hourly wage equivalent: $20.89
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $8.44
New Jersey cracks the top three states with large welfare and minimum wage gaps. The state has dealt with its fair share of financial woes, yet its public assistance pay gap remains untouched. Minimum-wage workers earn $8.44 per hour, but those on welfare could receive $20.89 per hour. This equates to a whopping $12.45 per hour pay difference.
Next: A significant pay gap in Massachusetts
2. Massachusetts: $13.30 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $42,515
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $50,540
- Hourly wage equivalent: $24.30
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $11
We round out our tour of the Northeast with Massachusetts. Its $11 minimum wage is one of the higher wages on this list, but both Cato and the national wage data make it pretty clear welfare pays more than minimum wage here. And while a $13.30 payout difference is quite substantial, it’s nowhere near the discrepancy in our No. 1 state.
Next: The state where welfare recipients earn the most money
1. Hawaii: $19.88 per hour difference
- Total welfare benefits package: $49,175
- Pre-tax wage equivalent: $60,590
- Hourly wage equivalent: $29.13
- State hourly minimum wage for 2017: $9.25
The biggest discrepancy between welfare and minimum-wage payouts is seen in Hawaii with an astonishing gap of $19.88. Not only do residents receive nearly $50,000 in welfare aid, the hourly equivalent is comparable to the national median salary of an electrical engineering technician. But it’s best to note that the high cost of living in this state could distort the data. Regardless, such a high discrepancy between working and welfare is pretty hard to dismiss.
