I CONFESS to being more than usually puzzled by Mike Bentley's right-wing ranting (Saturday Soundoff, January 29).

Why does he have such a grudge against public sector workers? Would he prefer a world where there were no home helps, refuse collectors, care home workers, classroom assistants, public librarians and street cleaners?

Has it occurred to him that "key workers" may need a housing subsidy because they are so poorly paid?

While we're on the subject of bribes, it's interesting to see that George Bush, whose moral values Mr Bentley has previously praised in his column, is under investigation for paying newspaper columnists to write in support of his policies.

Lesley Jefferis,

Lynwood View,

Copmanthorpe,

York.

Updated: 11:35 Thursday, February 03, 2005