An Entitlement is the RIGHT to GUARANTEED benefits under a government program

[REP]

I'm tired of people not knowing what words mean and how to use a dictionary. Here's the definition of Entitlement from Dctionary.com:


1. the act of entitling.

2. the state of being entitled.

3. the right to guaranteed benefits under a government program, as Social Security or unemployment compensation.

[REP]

1. Kick for definitions!

[msongs]

2. biggest welfare entitlement = US MIlitary and war profiteer corporations nt

[REP]

3. Not an entitlement. Sorry.

[robcon]

4. The 'guaranted' benefits can, and often does, change at any time.

Social Security benefits and unemployment compensation for example, have changed a lot over the years.

For example, the age(s) for qualifying for Social Security has been changed (lowered and raised) several times. So the 'guarantee' has not ever been absolute.

[REP]

5. Not my point. My point is Social Security IS an entitlement, and not a hand-out or welfare

[joeglow3]

6. I have always considered social security an insurance program

As did most Democratic leaders in 2005 when Bush tried to gut it. However, as it is currently run, it IS an entitlement program. It should be an insurance program whereby you are means tested prior to being able to draw from it.

[REP]

7. Why? If you pay in, you get paid out from it. Guaranteed. You're ENTITLED to it.

[joeglow3]

8. It was never intended to be a retirement program.

Hell, the name even gives it away: Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. It's enactment was to help those who otherwise would face poverty. As I said, this was the very reason our party opposed Bush's changes in 2005. Your view of the system is the same as Bush's and the reason he wanted to radically alter the program.

[REP]

9. If you pay in to it expecting to be paid in old age or disability, aren't you entitled to payments?

I became disabled before I was married. I'm now married to someone who earns a decent salary. Should my own financial security be taken away?

[joeglow3]

10. If you expect it, you mistake what it is supposed to be

Is it fair that I have paid for life insurance for the past 8 years and not received anything?