" Entitlements" I really think there should be a concerted effort to get rid of that word

[OKNancy]

when it comes to Social Security. Every time a pundit/talking head/politician uses it to refer to Social Security, we should write them.
Even if they are on "our side" Especially if they are on our side.
Just as many of us were quick to fuss about the use of the words "Democrat party", I think we should raise a stink about
this. I just don't see Social Security as an Entitlement. It's insurance we paid for.

[SharonAnn]

1. They are "Earned Benefits". Use those words. Framing is important, very important.

[Lorien]

5. +1. Absolutely. The Reaganites knew that they could skew opinion against

social programs by calling them an "entitlement"; which sounds like something that a spoiled brat thinks they deserves, but doesn't.

[anneboleyn]

25. Exactly. People are misunderstanding the term, and then allowing SS and Medicare to be slashed

because they think people don't "deserve" "entitlements."

[TheCowsCameHome]

Right on. n/t

[OKNancy]

22. Yes... that is good, very good

earned benefits it is!

[anneboleyn]

24. I agree. Unfortunately I think people are not understanding what "entitlement" actually means

in this context, and they think it means that people are being given things they didn't really work for or earn, hence the willingness to slash medicare and social security. I know this is a complete misunderstanding of what "entitlement" means in reference to social security and medicare, but I agree with you -- the public perception is being shaped by the republicans who want to privatize social security and medicare. And it is no coincidence they keep using "entitlement" to refer to the program.

[Capitalocracy]

31. We should just start calling it "Your Money".

As in, "This week Republicans hoping to cut more from the government's budget have their eyes on entitlements." No, more like: "This week Republicans hoping to cut more from the government's budget have their eyes on your money."

Heritage Foundation: "Entitlements are the greatest domestic challenge the nation faces," becomes, "Your money is the greatest domestic challenge the nation faces."

We need to get rid of entitlements = We need to get rid of your money.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. "Entitlements" is exactly the right word. Especially for social security.

It's insurance we paid for. We've paid our entire working life for it.
We are "entitled" to that money... it is ours.

It absolutley is an "entitlement"

[shraby]

8. Problem is, the right wing has turned it into a "dirty" word.

[iamtechus]

11. Can you give us an example of it being used as a "dirty" word?

[Lorien]

15. See post #12. nt

[Lorien]

14. It was ALWAYS a dirty word, and that's why Reagan started using it in the 1980's

for those of you who are too young to remember: they were once called "social programs", NEVER 'entitlements".

[shraby]

30. Thanks Lorien...there are some youngsters around here

I see. They are actually insurance programs that people pay premiums on all their working days until they retire or become disabled and can't work.

[Lorien]

12. Only if you are against earned benefits (social security) is it the "RIGHT word"

"The little boy felt that a pony was his entitlement"
"the CEO felt Entitled to a 20 million dollar salary"
"Do you think you're entitled to a third piece of cake"?
'Most celebrities feel a certain sense of entitlement"

From Webster's: ENTITLEMENT: : belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges"

Do you see Social Security as a "privilege", or an earned benefit?

The word itself derives from the aristocracy: entitled: to be among the landed gentry with an inherited title such as Lord, Lady, Baron, Count, Duchess, etc.

[earthside]

21. I'm with you.

It's our money that we paid for that benefit (however the formula works out) -- and we are entitled to it!

Frankly, I'm tired of this letting the Repuglicans take perfectly good words and turning them into "dirty" words. There are some things that are what they are and we should make every effort to reclaim those terms with a positive character.

Especially with Social Security, I'm quite comfortable with the word "entitlement".

[Obamanaut]

3. I contributed to SS from age 16 to 62. I am entitled to it. nt

[hfojvt]

4. well you are entitled to your opinion

but I don't think it's a big deal at all.

entitle means a person has a right, a title, or a claim to something

which seems like a good thing to call something you expect to get.

[bobbolink]

6. Just for Social Security? You want to separate yourself from us poorer folk?

[Raine]

7. Exactly but it's not the word it's the definition.

That makes me so mad :mad: an "entitlement" is not a handout, it is something you are "entitled" to because you earned it! I'm sick to death of them changing the definition of the word "entitlement" it's not a dirty word, it's not a gift, it's not a handout or a freebie. We can't let them get away with this crap! :grr:

[iamtechus]

9. What's wrong with "entitlement" ?

entitlement entitlement n.
a right granted by law or contract, especially to financial
benefits from the government.


An entitlement is simply something that you are entitled to.

What is it that you don't understand about the word?

[Lorien]

16. You aren't using the original definition. See post #12

there is a reason that the Far Right has framed it that way.

[liberal N proud]

10. The republicans want to do that

by doing away with the benefits they provide people.

[Lint Head]

13. People are entitled to get every penny they put into SS and Medicare and more.

America should insure the lives of the very citizens that make up the country and make the economy run.
Otherwise we are nothing but slaves to the state. We work our whole lives to make billionaires more money. Really? Rea--lly?

[Lorien]

17. Well OK Nancy, it looks like the under 35 crowd here loves Reagan's framing

of social benefits as a PRIVILEGE, not an earned benefit. Original definition from Webster's: Entitlement: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges". They not only bought the Right Wing framing, they ignorantly PROMOTE it because they have such a poor grasp of the English language.

[Warren DeMontague]

20. And where do you get that?

Sorry, Grandma, the problem here isn't the "under 35 crowd". Why don't you check out who all the fucking duffers are at the teabag rallies. They're overwhelmingly not Gen X or Millenials.

[anneboleyn]

27. I agree with you, and I am 35ish. (a proud GenXer)

The republicans are deliberately using "entitlement" as a propaganda term, because people hear entitlement (and I am not going to argue about the "correct" definition) and think the program can be cut because -- as you pointed out -- that means it is a privilege.

[TheCowsCameHome]

18. Agreed. It sounds awful.

+1

[Warren DeMontague]

19. I think we should start calling Defense and Drug War Spending "Useless Taxpayer Money Micturation"

Or maybe Luxuriated High End Gravy Train Boondollargles.

[Stinky The Clown]

23. Look at our party's leader. Is he refuting the term?

[robcon]

26. I think fighting the word is silly.

It just how the programs are funded: as much as needed to fund all who are entitled to the help or service.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

28. When you pay into something for years, it is not entitlement.

It is me paying into something, drawing interest and getting it back when I'm old. You know who has the worst entitlement issues? The rich.
Duckie

[provis99]

29. let's get rid of the word "liberal" too. After all, Repukes might not like it.

Let's replace it with the word "progressive" which sounds much nicer.

[philly_bob]

32. Contractual obligations...

[Peter_x]

33. The way

to combat this slur is to fight fire with fire. Start calling out TARP, the bailouts, and tax cuts for the top one percent as "corporate entitlements," "legacy entitlements," and "a handout entitlement culture for the already wealthy." Its all in the way the language is used. Let "entitlement" become a dirty word, it can be skillfully used against the GOP.

[Hannah Bell]

34. i think it would be easier to reframe thusly: "entitlements? damn right, you pay (%)

out of every check for those benefits, & that's why you're entitled to them."

in fact, they're called entitlements for that very reason. it's only that the gop made an intense effort to twist "entitlement" into its opposite -- some kind of unearned, unpaid-for benefit.

[bluetex]

35. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Used in the context described, "entitlement"...as previously defined... is exactly the appropriate term.

There appears to be confusion RE: the numerous benefits and social programs some recieve or participate in (without any fiscal contribution or physical effort expended on the recipeint's part)...as an "entitlement". In that contect, it would be wrong. Charity is not an "entitlement".

Charity is benevolence bestowed on the needy by those who are able.

Social Security and Medicare (for those of us who have paid into the system)...is not charity.