The Media shoudn't use the term "entitlements"

[CreekDog]

If they are reporting increases or decreases in Social Security --then say "Social Security".

If they are reporting increases or decreases in Medicare --then say "Medicare".

If it's both, then say, "Medicare and Social Security".

Lots of people don't know what an entitlement is, and our media is so uninterested in explaining these things, that they should not use catchphrases or terms when the original is simpler, clearer and better understood. Doing otherwise allows people to hear about cuts to entitlements without necessarily understanding that it threatens their Social Security checks or Medicare benefits, or disability benefits (Social Security Disability) or disability health care through Medicare. But if you use the proper term, it would be hard for anybody to misunderstand what is intended.

[FormerDittoHead]

1. I not surprised the right hasn't tried to call them "gifts". n/t

[Raven]

2. I think "entitlement" is just fine. I am 65 and I worked all my life

to put away $ for Social Security and Medicare. I gave it to the government as my trustee and, as a trustee, the government had a fiduciary duty to protect and grow it. I am entitled to that payout and being afraid to say that is giving in to the crazies.

[CreekDog]

3. they shouldn't use that term in place of Social Security of Medicare

if they want to say one is entitled to them, fine, but tell them what they are entitled to.

"entitlements" to most people 40 or younger is a meaningless term. Social Security and Medicare are not.

[prairierose]

6. It is NOTan entitlement. You paid into it...

an entitlement would be if you did not contribute to the fund. That is why the repugs use that language to make unthinking people think that these programs are completely funded by taxpayer money from the general fund. They are taxpayer money but they are specific funds paid for a specific purpose. Every working person pays into these funds. It is the same with the public union pension funds, they paid that money into a pension fund. Yes, they are entitled to the pension they paid in to but when the repugs and the media continually call it entitlements, they are trying make everyone forget that they are paying into those particular funds for a particular purpose that is separate from the general taxes they pay.

[Paper Roses]

7. Yup. The only way entitlement applies is if it is covered by the

words." I paid for it so I am entitled to it".
The government makes it sound like a reluctant gift to us.

[leftstreet]

4. Neither should the Democrats n/t

[FiveGoodMen]

5. Indeed!