The Twilight of Entitlement

WaPo via RCP ^ | 4-29-2013 | Robert Samuelson

[Sir Napsalot]

WASHINGTON -- We are passing through something more than a period of disappointing economic growth and increasing political polarization. What's happening is more powerful: the collapse of "entitlement." By this, I do not mean primarily cuts in specific government benefits, most prominently Social Security, but the demise of a broader mindset -- attitudes and beliefs -- that, in one form or another, has gripped Americans since the 1960s. The breakdown of these ideas has rattled us psychologically as well as politically and economically.

In my 1995 book, "The Good Life and Its Discontents," I defined entitlement as our expectations "about the kind of nation we were creating and what that meant for all of us individually":

We had a grand vision. We didn't merely expect things to get better. We expected all social problems to be solved. We expected business cycles, economic insecurity, poverty, and racism to end. We expected almost limitless personal freedom and self-fulfillment. For those who couldn't live life to its fullest (as a result of old age, disability, or bad luck), we expected a generous social safety net to guarantee decent lives. We blurred the distinction between progress and perfection.

(snip)

Popular national goals remain elusive. Poverty is stubborn. Many schools seem inadequate. The "safety net," private and public, is besieged. Our expansive notion of entitlement rested on optimistic and, ultimately, unrealistic assumptions: (Read all four assumptions at link source) .....

Weighed down by these contradictions, entitlement has been slowly crumbling for decades. The Great Recession merely applied the decisive blow. ..... In the post-entitlement era, people's expectations may be more grounded. But political conflicts -- who gets, who gives -- and social resentments will be, as they already are, sharper. Entitlement implied an almost-limitless future. Facing limits is a contentious exercise in making choices.

[oust the louse]

Disability is the new safe haven for the ones who want to sponge off the working class and the U.S. Government is happy to oblige. It’s enrollment is up 100% since Obama took office.

[Mouton]

The twilight of entitlement or where the concept that outcomes must be equal with no regard to equal opportunity.

[Rich21IE]

Or:
The twilight of entitlement or where the concept that outcomes must be equal with no regard to effort.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

but the demise of a broader mindset -- attitudes and beliefs -- that, in one form or another, has gripped Americans since the 1960s

Is he kidding???? I'd laugh if the issue weren't so deadly and destructive. Samuelson is confusing the collapse of our ability to pay for entitlements with the demise of the entitlement mindset. The reality is that a lot of Americans -- including a lot of Middle Class Americans -- want the government to subsidize their lives so that they can live better and have someone else pay for it. They believe the Dems' BS that "the rich" can pay for it all if they just pay their "fair share" of taxes. Its a deadly destructive attitude that ultimately will result in the demise of America.

[Sir Napsalot]

>>> Samuelson is confusing the collapse of our ability to pay for entitlements with the demise of the entitlement mindset.

You are right.

The demise of the entitlement mindset will usher in a chaotic period. You see Obama throwing tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants, just wait for the millions mini-Obama-bots realizing the teats are sucked dry.

[randita]

We're not entitled to many things: not to a dynamic economy; not to secure jobs; not to homeownership; not to ever-more protective government; not to fixed tax burdens; not to a college education.

But we're entitled to free health care and Obama phones.

[cardinal4]

I disagree, the entitlement mindset is alive and well..

[glennaro]

the entitlement mindset is alive and well

... and growing -- fast!