“So if you pay insurance premiums for years, you’re not entitled to the benefits you paid for?”
1. ) If something is paid for then it is not an “entitlement”. It is something earned.
“And if government is the one that sells you that insurance, are you not entitled to it?”
See Answer 1. )
“Social Security”
See answer 1. )
“Unemployment benefits”
See Answer 1. ) but only to the extent of the amount that one paid into it. If one paid $1,000 into those benefits then one should get $1,000 and not a penny more. Extensions of unemployment benefits should cease immediately, period. No entity can pay for something with money that that entity doesn’t have.
As a matter-of-fact, see Answer 1. ) for all you have said except “orphans”. The issue of orphans should be returned to the states/local gov’t.
It seems that there is an issue of semantics between the two of us.
The left has changed the word “welfare” to “entitlements”. You never hear anyone use the word, “welfare” anymore, thanks to the left and the spineless repubs who went along with the change. I am against welfare, in other words, freebies to lazy b_______ who simply don’t want to work, period.
That’s my issue.
I want to strike the word “entitlements” from politics and reinstitute the word, “welfare”.
Take Medicare and Social Security off the table as well as most of Social Security disability, that's an insurance benefit too. What's left?
Medicaid and Food Stamps. Less than 10% of the Federal Budget.
Cut that 10% out completely and what have you accomplished?
You haven't solved the budget problem. You certainly haven't solved the structural issues in the economy.
But you will have created enormous ill will towards Republicans and Conservatives. And you will probably have incurred the Almighty's wrath who repeatedly warned kings to consider the cause of the poor and needy.