Reply #138: You miss one essential characteristic.

[TahitiNut]

An "entitlement" exists SOLELY by government fiat.

Break down the word itself and focus on "title" -- something that does not exist in nature. Think of "titles" like "Duke" or "Baron" or "lord" ... and think back to the days of monarchies where "title" conferred economic power. In those days, ALL the land of the "realm" was presumptively owned (granted by GOD to the control) by the monarch ... the sovereign. The 'subjects' were, for the most part, mere chattel. ALL the proceeds of anyone's labors on the land (the sole "means of production") were owned by the monarch ... to be doled out as the monarch saw fit (or by whim).

Think about Pennsylvania ... an entitlement to William Penn.

Now... think about the title to a car, the title (fee simple) to land and real property. Those titles exist (and have value) SOLELY by government fiat ... and a system of (government) record-keeping, (government) police power, and (government) courts required to obey that fiat. And it's ALL paid for by working people ... to the benefit of their Masters.

The right wing is the very WORST at abusing "entitlements" ... think about the stock market. Think about their attitude towards capital. They regard a CAPITALIST as virtually the same as a monarch ... presumedly the 'entitled' owner of ALL THE PROCEEDS from any labor performed using their "means of production."

It's insidious.

:puke:

(I've packed a LOT into the above summary ... and mere phrases used above could easily be expanded to essays.)