As an American citizen, what benefits do you feel entitled to?
Posted at 5:00 AM on May 6, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(17 Comments)
Filed under: Environment/Energy, Politics/Government
In their efforts to cut the budget deficit, federal officials are considering changes to Medicare and other benefit programs. Today's Question: As an American citizen, what benefits do you feel entitled to?
Comments (17)
The right to be human, which few citizens of this world enjoy.
The right to vote. And, taxation with representation. Which, I am not sure I have in MN anymore.
Entitled?
Odd, since I feel we have to fight even for our DEMOCRATIC ways. Too easy for our slippery slope into Plutocracy, removing the voice of the individual citizen.
Most our our RIGHTS for Democratic representation are being removed by a totalitarian attitude of appeasing the rich guy who pays under the table, feeds disinformation, and bold face lies.
I would say we have rights, and those rights reflect our necessity as a citizen. I refuse to use the word entitlements as that is a false belief system.
We have right to be heard as a individual and represented by our leaders in government, and the right to remove those leaders who do not listen to the majority of the people.
We have the right to vote on major decisions. Over duplication and other hindrances need to be removed as impediments.
We have the right to be treated as a HUMAN being equal to every other HUMAN being. There is no Homo-superior.
We have the right to be paid a fair days livable wage for a fair days work. Not offering, limiting, or any reduction in this is actually 'slavery', forced indentured servitude, and criminal theft.
We have the right to hear Honest True information from out government, full disclosure of donations, funding, and agreements. That failure to have a open and honest government is a crime in and of itself.
We have the right to have a government that plans for the future needs of all the people planning for a progressive future.
And we have the right to in our ending days to be helped by those we helped when we were doing the work.
And we have the right to be treated fairly and honestly, and when in need to be helped by those who have profited the most by our society's rules.
I believe that I am "entitled" to the benifits listed in the Constitution of the United States and its ammendments. In return, I take on the responsiblities of following the laws of the city, state and country in which I reside, pay taxes, vote and serve in the Armed Forces. All of which I have done, or am doing. This used to be considered a pretty good deal. I think it still is.
I moved to the the US and Minnesota as an adult and conciously thought about the benefits I would be entitled to.
They included:
- those included in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
- good government
- the knowledge that if I worked hard and got a little lucky I could earn a good buck and keep a lot of what I earned
- the belief that I was joining "the greatest exclusive club in the world."
- the belief that I would be surrounded by the best and brightest (or at least the better and brighter)
- the belief that I was moving to a country that is well intentioned and respected the world over
- low prices on almost everything compared to the rest of the world
The things I worried about at the time included:
- it's an unforgiving place. If you are good and lucky you can do well, but if you're not so good or a little unlucky, things can unravel fast and the safety net has some pretty big holes
- random acts of violence resulting from our unique gun culture
- long, cold winters
20 years later, it would seem that my expectations were about right.
- It used to be pretty easy to earn a real good buck here. As the rest of the world gets more efficient and otherwise catches up, it's getting a little harder to do so
- Taxes are a little higher than I expected, but the services are also a little better than I expected
- Local and state government is better than expected; Washington is worse than expected and not obviously getting better (despite, in my view, a very bright and well intentioned president)
- The safety net is better than expected but is currently fraying and I'm not expecting to get the social security or health benefits that I have paid for
- There are more (silly) rules and laws (and therefore less freedom) than I expected
All in all though, and contrary to the overwhelming amount of negativism in the media and in "Today's Question" comments many days, the benefits that we are entitled to in the US are pretty awesome!
Those posted in the Constitution....
Nothing else...
With respect to Medicare and other benefit programs, I think we are entitled to all of the benefits that these programs have promised.
These programs were originally put into place because there was a need for them. Fixing the budget by cutting them, instead of taking the needed money from those of us who have it, is an outrage, because of that need.
Without Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, the needs they serve return. This is not acceptable because the programs are a huge value to all of us.
I feel I should have access to the benefits I pay into like SSI. I also feel the least amoung us should be taken care of, it's our moral responsability as a country. Education should be available to everyone including higher education so people have a chance to have the life they want to work for. Equality for everyone on every level. Health care should be a right not a privledge for those who can afford it. Free speach for individuals should be protected, corporations are not individuals. Those are the basics, I could go on and on.
I'm entitled to the protections, succor and assistance - under the conditions and terms specified with taking that assistance - that my fellow citizens feel they can afford and are willing to provide. I know that can change. I'm entitled to participate, through my vote for selection of representatives or issues, in defining what my government will make available for its citizens. I'm entitled to a government that cannot be bought.
The right to NOT have the MY government take 57% of my income and squander it.
http://nowandfutures.com/taxes.html
∑
DTOM
I don't feel particularly entitled to any benefits, given the question seems to imply this is about things like Medicare and Social Security. I have heard many in my parents' generation proclaim they have worked all their lives for them and expect and demand to get back what they paid in. I've paid in all 15 years of my working life to date, yet I have no such expectation that any of it will be there for me. I doubt many in my generation do.
Many businesses are decreasing or eliminating health and retirement benefits to reduce their long term obligations. At the same time they are making little or no effort to offset the cuts with additional compensation. Thus employees have no extra to use to increase their retirement savings. Now the many in government are also looking to get out of health and retirement as well. I'm frightened about where our nation is headed and what will become of the eldery in say 20 years. With the exception of those with the highest paying jobs, they have been abandoned by business. Now they are being abandoned by government.
Do I feel entitled to government benefits? No.
Does that mean I think our current trajectory of eliminating them is good idea? Absolutely not. This will all catch up with us.
I think I’m entitled to representation by my political representatives.
The problem is most every time they have voted for or against a bill they are voting against the majority opinion of people they represent. For example, The Bank Bailout, Wars, The (upcoming) Debt Ceiling, etc.
People need to start to really watch; vote out these representatives that don’t represent.
Marcus reflects the views of our President, here. He was frustrated yesterday. I feeld bad.
A medical system that isn’t plagued with excessive profiteering from my medical misfortunes.
Politicians that aren’t the puppets of the wealth and privileged.
A supreme court that sides with the people once and a while instead of with mega corporations.
The right to obtain some of the surplus I generate instead of watching all of it go to the bloated parasites running our companies and being only handed the bare minimum to survive.
I'd rather we discuss this question: What responsibilities does American citizenship entail?
whoops, please take a "them" between "reflect" and "with" as writ. thanks.
First and foremost: My opinions and the right to reflect with my vote -- whether I can afford plastic picture ID or not.
| May 2011 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
Master Archive
Recent Entries
- Have changes to the airline passenger experience affected your willingness to fly?
- Should marijuana be available for medical use in Minnesota?
- Do the struggles of Minnesota's business icons signal trouble for the state's economy?
- Do you know whether insurance would cover your losses in a major storm?
- What kind of recycling program would you be likely to use the most?
- Would you support paying people for organ or tissue donations?
- Have personal relationships in the workplace ever presented a problem for you?
- Do you think Facebook is a passing fad?
- Will you be less likely to visit the Minnesota Zoo without its dolphins?
- Should authorities in the Twin Cities change the way they warn people about tornadoes?
Public Insight Network
The Public Insight Network draws upon your experiences to help shape our coverage.More
Categories
Services
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock