Brats of the Entitlement generation

I was just reading Paul Krugman’s blog post about the state of Social Security, which claims that SS will be quite solvent for a good long time to come, based on the *real* reading of the recent report by the Social Security Trustees. The same report that has set the right-wing into a frenzy about how insolvent the program is and how we baby boomers are like leeches on the body politic (greedy little brats). I don’t know how such disparate views can be reached reading the same words. And yes, I actually read the darned thing. It’s 120+ pages long, but, if you want to know what’s in it, the primary source is a lot more reliable than *interpretations* by political hacks.

But that’s not what this post is about. It’s the stupid and loaded word, Entitlement, that those who hate the idea of Social Security attach to the program. The comment section to Krugman’s post had a couple of references to the term which, more or less, sent me into orbit. As we all know, that’s a bad word in this free-wheeling, free-market (laissez-faire) economy. That free-wheeling economy that is currently going down the crapper because greed knows no bounds.

As far as I know, Social Security is an insurance program. It was set up to be an insurance program and it still works that way. I have paid into Social Security for a good long time, and when the time comes, I get to withdraw payments based on what I’ve contributed to it. Not one cent more. That’s how insurance works. And, y’know, if I’ve spent considerable years paying into it, I’d damned well better get something out of it, regardless if it offends someone’s laissez-faire ethic.

I’m equally certain that those who brand Social Security as an Entitlement Program are similarly appalled at their monthly/yearly house insurance payments so that if their house burns down, they will get a big fat House Entitlement check (which may include some of my money) to rebuild their house.

Entitlement is a sleazy, weasel-word. And it’s inaccurate. And a cheap shot. And did I mention sleazy and weasely? And slimy?

A happy note for those greedy little bastards who hate the idea of social security insurance...a third to half of us baby boomers will be dead in 20 years...just about the time you reach middle age or retirement. I know you can’t wait. There will be enough left for you guys, no problem. Relax.

Unless, of course, your free-wheeling, unregulated, free-market (laissez faire) economy has totally collapsed and you’re all living with your kids in a three room shack like third world has-beens by then. I’m not discounting that possibility.

Not that the word entitlement trips my wire or anything like that.....