Third Way Founders Jon Cowen & Jim Kessler tell us: Economic Populism is a Dead End for Democrats

[Cosmic Kitten]

46. "entitlements" is a word that needs REFRAMING

The right-wing and 3rd-wayers use it
as a pejorative dog-whistle to invoke
racist and economic class resentments.

Are there any people in society who
don't hold some sense of entitlement?
Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness
are certainly "entitlements", aka "rights".

What "entitlements" do the economic elite hold?
THEY are entitled to Social Security, despite
NOT needing that economic social support.

Social Security is "Poverty Insurance", right?
It is intended to keep the elderly and handicapped
from living destitute in their most vulnerable times.
People who are NOWHERE near poverty feel "entitled"
to Social Security because... why?

When you pay Social Security "tax" that is your
"anti-poverty insurance" premium.
What other insurance policy provided an annuity
if you never actually need the insurance provided?
Can you get auto insurance premiums back if you stop driving?
Can you get a health insurance annuity if you never get sick?

Why should millionaires get poverty insurance,
aka Social Security, checks if they are not near poverty?
BECAUSE they feel ENTITLED.

Tell the working-class millionaires are ENTITLED
to money from the "anti-poverty" program...
see how they like those "entitlements".

Emotion trumps reason