Richard94611 Loc: Oakland, CA

In a recent issue of The New Yorker (April 8th, 2013) on page 23 there is a discussion of the term "entitlement" and its meanings. It details views of two "prominent and conservative academics, Robert Nisbet and Robert Nozick."

The article states: "To oversimplify: according to Nozick, the only things person is legitimately entitled to are things he creates by 'mixing' his own labor with something that no one else possesses, such as unclaimed land or resources, and things thus created which the person acquires through exchange or as gifts. But it is unjust for things -- things like public schools and pensions -- to be acquired through redistributive taxation, which is morally 'on a pair with forced labor.' In other words, what no one is entitled to is, precisely 'entitlements.' "

What do you think, conservative folks ? Do you believe this ?

CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier

Very interesting!

Richard94611 Loc: Oakland, CA

I think so, too. But what are your agreements or disagreements with this intellectual position ?

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I'm a conservative and I do believe in entitlements but I think we've overdone them. We've become a country of extremes, all or nothing. Some things the centrists have right.

CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier

I'm for helping people to help themselves. Times are tough, jobs hard to find, many need a helping hand but many are playing the system. I agree, no one is entitled to them. We have overdone. These programs were never meant to support people, just to help them out temporarily.

Shack2

I am a Constitutionalist. I do not believe in "Entitlements". They take away incentives to work and stand on one's own two feet. I am 71. There were many a times I headed off to school with only a piece of bread broken into a bowl of milk for breakfast and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. I had a mom who told me I could do anything I wanted but I would have to work for it. Started baby sitting in the 8th grade and as soon as I turned 16 worked as many hours as I could to help supplement my parents income. It is what many of us did in those days. Didn't hurt us a bit and taught us responsibility.

I wanted to be a stewardess but my student counselor told me I would never make it as I was not college bound. I was told to take secretarial courses. Hated it. Had to go to summer school for typing and shorthand. Upon graduating I did go into office work but I could not stand being cooped up inside 4 walls.

Took me 7 years but in 1967, I earned my wings. Stayed with it for 37 years and loved every minute of it. I had a mom and friends who were great encouragers and never let me give up my dream.

Yes, there are times when some need help. If the government would get out of our pocket book, we would have more money to give to our churches, Salvation Army, etc. But they won't because as I learned early on in life, "the more money the Government has of yours, the more they can control you". That was 50 years ago and it is sadly coming to fruition.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

if there is a job for everyone then we don't need entitlements. to have anything over 1% unemployment is unthinkable. why are we not kicking the buts of those not creating the new jobs, and those shipping them overseas? then we can adopt a "no work", "no eat" policy.

woody54895 Loc: NW Wisconsin

Jon Stewart, tells it the way it is.

MagicFad Loc: Clermont, FL

Wow! We need about 100 million more of you in this country and about 100 million more like your Mom, then we wouldn't be in this mess we are in now. You said it all without insults or name calling. Bravo!

FrumCA

I agree with Cardinallady. Too many people gaming the system and government failing to adequately screen for those who truly need help.

Kuma

It is the responsibility of the Christian Churches to provide for those who CAN NOT provide for themselves. Key words are "Can Not". Many Churches are doing that and many are not. The New Testament presents a clear case for that. Constitutionally it is NOT the job of the government.

And Christianity is NOT socialism. Socialism says, "What is yours is mine."
Christianity says, "What is mine is yours." There is a huge difference that those who compare the two, overlook...a huge difference!

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Shach2 you think you had it hard! I had to walk to school with a piece of hard rock sugar as my only meal and walked 5 miles both ways up hill!

SR71BLACKBIRD

Then what a lot of conservatives are thinking is:

I shouldn't have my Military retirement...... Didn't know I was working for
26 yrs plus for an entitlement, also didn't know I was working 26 years for an entitlement helping to supporting me elders so the could have a better life after retirement.

Bill gomberg

The G.I .Bill , an " entitlement "program developed into one of the greatest returns oninvestmentof tax money in U.S
History .Why ohwhy have we abandoned such thinking at so disastrous cost ,that of a semi - illiterate , ever more unemployable workforce ?

Samuraiz Loc: Central Florida

Sometimes worlds talk on a life of their own. There are those that call SS and Medicare entitlements although many if not most contributed more than 7% with an employer match of 7% every year. I would think this is an investment with an agreed upon return.

Also, what was once called legitimate tax deductions are now renamed TAX LOOP HOLES.

Words can be very powerful my friends.