Social Security as an "entitlement". Another example of how the right has redefined terms.

Another example of how the right has been allowed to redefine terms and put Democrats on the defensive once again.

Social Security has long been such a valued and respected program in our society, a safety net that keeps seniors from the poverty they knew before Social Security, so much so that the right feared to really go after it because it was considered that SS was the third rail of politics--touch it and you die. But no longer, because the right now feels free to go after Social Security with impunity and unfortunately it is not just the right.

It is no coincidence that the term "entitlement" is being used by the right to describe Social Security because in our society "entitlement" has a negative connotation by many who equate "entitlement" with "welfare", which they see as people trying to get something for nothing. So it matters little if people have paid thousands of their own dollars into Social Security over their working lifetimes because if the Republicans have their way it will be viewed on par with "welfare", or those getting a handout. (There is nothing wrong with welfare that is used to help those in need, but Republicans adhere to the YOYO philosophy of life--You're On Your Own.)

So Republicans and the right take the term "entitlement" to describe Social Security and repeat the lie over and over that it is broke and that younger working Americans will never see any of it, hoping to make a breech in the third rail armor because they now have that hope where they never really had hope at all. They just need to keep repeating the lie over and over as even some Democrats seem to have come to accept the term "entitlement".

Here is where as Democrats we have seen our betrayal, that our leaders have in any way accepted the term "entitlement" to describe Social Security. Democrats from bottom to top, meaning our Democratic president, should be screaming from the housetops that Social Security is not an entitlement but a valued safety net for senior citizens that they have paid thousands of dollars of their own money to support. That Social Security is solvent and should not be cut. That increases in the retirement age are really tax increases.

They should constantly emphasize that Social Security is still the third rail of politics--"touch it and you will die!" I don't expect any Democrat to buy into the Republican lies about Social Security, particularly I don't expect President Obama to in any way embrace and of the Republican lies about it or seek to compromise with Republicans about it in any way.

I would hope and expect Obama to be front and center in defending Social Security and to stand fast, hard, and clear against anything that would cut or diminish Social Security in any way. Unfortunately, if past behavior is a predictor of future behavior, I don't have much hope for those expectations unless they come in the form of campaign promises.

is not an entitlement.

Something you've earned is something you're entitled to, that's the nature of the word. The problem is that the GOP sneers when they say it.

to frame that issue. "That child acts like he's ENTITLED to everything", "The wealthy behave as if a 100 million dollar yacht is an ENTITLEMENT", "The poor believe that they are ENTITLED to your hard earned dollars". In each case the underlying message is that "They think they deserve what they have not earned"; hence the use of the word. Pre-Reagan, Social Security was called a "Social Program".

From Merrriam Webster: ENTITLEMENT: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges

technically, when you work, you are supporting current retirees, and when you retire, then-current workers will be supporting your retirement.

this reality is somewhat obscured by two points:
first, social security has been massively overfunded in anticipation of the days when current workers can't fully support retirees.
second, benefits during retirement are paid based on a formula that depends on how much and how often you contributed when you were working. but that formula could be changed at any point, and that's precisely what's up for grabs.

strictly speaking, "entitlement" is a fair word. it's just one of those things that the right-wing says with a sneer and derision and makes it sound like a bad thing.

you ARE entitled to it because you supported retirees while you were working and deserve to be treated the same when you retire.

nothing wrong with that, unless you're a republican.

1 b: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract

2: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group; also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

"belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges "

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entitlement

to distinguish between government purchase of good and services, and the transfer of money from one group of citizens to another group.

Full of misconceptions.

The kicker is the last paragraph:
"It is because these programs are middle-class welfare that cuts can be made without inflicting widespread hardship. All the elderly aren’t poor."

Then the article finishes with a Republican talking point:
"Shared sacrifice is a meaningless concept if it excludes older Americans."

I sure hope Newsweek's readers can see thru the BS.

Link to article for nausea resistant folks:
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/06/social-security-is-middle-class-welfare.html?obref=obinsite

but a transfer payment

Demonize a word, and then attach that word to a specific group. It's easy to compartmentalize the hate to their base that way.

what is important is what it has come to mean by much of our society, not just Republicans. "Entitlement" clearly now has a largely negative connotation for many in America because "entitlement" is looked upon as welfare and Social Security is not welfare.

The trouble is that too many younger workers believe that Social Security is broke and that they will never get anything from it in spite of the fact that they are required to continue to pay into the system. By going along with the Republicans portrayal of Social Security as an entitlement it just helps them to continue to spread their lies about it.

Democrats, particularly our leaders and President, need to clearly and unambiguously stand up for Social Security and not cooperate in any way, shape, or form in helping Republicans to destroy it. I'm not hearing that support for Social Security being given as loudly and frequently as it should be.