Entitlements at the Republican Convention
Entitlements dominate Republican and Democrat politicking. You should see this on display at this week's Republican convention. Some people claim Democrats push more for entitlements. That may be true, but don't make the mistake of thinking that Republicans somehow oppose entitlements.
What exactly is an entitlement? Wikipedia gives us a more formal and less formal definition. I think most people would understand and agree with the less formal: a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
The operative term here is "deserving." Yes, it's true. Hundreds of millions of Americans now believe that they are deserving of some particular reward or benefit. And so most Americans now have an "entitlement mentality" - which is what that informal definition basically describes. Again, a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
Even the Tea Party can't claim to have escaped the entitlement mentality. The first time I became aware of these folks, I remember listening to a group of older Tea Party members talk about how seniors didn't have to worry, there was no way the Tea Party would undermine or reduce Medicare benefits. There was one entitlement no one was going to take away! Heck, ven Ron Paul, when he described what he might do right away if elected, reassured seniors that Medicare wouldn't be effected right away.
So if the Tea Party can't shake the entitlement mentality, who can? Frankly, I doubt anyone or any party can. Ever since Franklyn Roosevelt created his "New Deal" most Americans have come to rely more and more on the federal government to live their lives. At first, it was because of the hardships of the Great Depression. The New Deal programs were going to help Americans who needed help. But that was a long time ago.
When the Depression ended, and especially after America's victory in World War II, which left us as the planet's dominant economic power, you would think the New Deal programs and the idea that Americans needed the federal government to get by would have ended. But it didn't. The government programs continued to be offered by politicians, and Americans grew more and more used to them.
And so we find ourselves today with a country filled with people who heartily endorse a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
If at first people reacted with gratitude to the New Deal programs that helped them through the Depression, they no longer react with gratitude. Here's a scene from the movie Cinderella Man (which I really liked) that shows the desperation some people faced then.
As you may know, Jim Braddock not only gets through this tough time, but goes on to become heavyweight champ and, as opposed to so many boxing legends, saved his money and established a life for his family. He even - in another great scene in the movie - returns the money the government gave him when he was down and out. Try to find someone today who would return money given to them by the government. Why would they? After all, they were entitled to it.
What exactly is an entitlement? Wikipedia gives us a more formal and less formal definition. I think most people would understand and agree with the less formal: a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
The operative term here is "deserving." Yes, it's true. Hundreds of millions of Americans now believe that they are deserving of some particular reward or benefit. And so most Americans now have an "entitlement mentality" - which is what that informal definition basically describes. Again, a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
Even the Tea Party can't claim to have escaped the entitlement mentality. The first time I became aware of these folks, I remember listening to a group of older Tea Party members talk about how seniors didn't have to worry, there was no way the Tea Party would undermine or reduce Medicare benefits. There was one entitlement no one was going to take away! Heck, ven Ron Paul, when he described what he might do right away if elected, reassured seniors that Medicare wouldn't be effected right away.
So if the Tea Party can't shake the entitlement mentality, who can? Frankly, I doubt anyone or any party can. Ever since Franklyn Roosevelt created his "New Deal" most Americans have come to rely more and more on the federal government to live their lives. At first, it was because of the hardships of the Great Depression. The New Deal programs were going to help Americans who needed help. But that was a long time ago.
When the Depression ended, and especially after America's victory in World War II, which left us as the planet's dominant economic power, you would think the New Deal programs and the idea that Americans needed the federal government to get by would have ended. But it didn't. The government programs continued to be offered by politicians, and Americans grew more and more used to them.
And so we find ourselves today with a country filled with people who heartily endorse a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit.
If at first people reacted with gratitude to the New Deal programs that helped them through the Depression, they no longer react with gratitude. Here's a scene from the movie Cinderella Man (which I really liked) that shows the desperation some people faced then.
As you may know, Jim Braddock not only gets through this tough time, but goes on to become heavyweight champ and, as opposed to so many boxing legends, saved his money and established a life for his family. He even - in another great scene in the movie - returns the money the government gave him when he was down and out. Try to find someone today who would return money given to them by the government. Why would they? After all, they were entitled to it.
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