A quick search in dictionaries turned up a myriad of definitions for “entitlement,” but two words appeared in almost every definition – “guaranteed” and “benefits.” Therefore, an entitlement mentality means believing that there are certain guaranteed benefits a person should be able to count on. Often within those dictionary definitions the word “contract” also appeared. There are some benefits that are guaranteed by contract that should be indisputable. For instance, your insurance company should pay off on legitimate claims, and our constitution clearly defines our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, it also seems that an entitlement mentality goes beyond the contracted benefits to a lot of assumed benefits. Along with that mindset, privileges and responsibilities soon become rights.
This launches us into the discussion of the difference between inalienable or moral rights versus civil rights. Inalienable or moral rights are those every human being ought to be afforded simply because he or she is part of humanity, whereas civil rights are those we discussed above that are contractually guaranteed.
A normal part of most contractual guarantees is the specification of who is going to pay for what. For instance, you have formed a contracted gambling relationship with your insurance company. You are gambling your monthly payments that you will need them to spend some serious cash on a future claim and they are betting that they won’t have to lay out that cash, but the terms of payment are clearly spelled out in your contract. Not so with the constitutional rights mentioned earlier. These are listed as inalienable rights – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is no designation of who is to pay for a certain level of lifestyle, or the liberty to lie on a warm beach and drink margaritas all day, or the pursuit of some particular brand of happiness.
When the assumption is made that someone else should pay for my inalienable rights there has been a shift from personal responsibility to an entitlement mentality. This is not just a disease of the poor or of illegal immigrants. It seems like almost every group develops its own form of entitlement theories. The rich have theirs, except they call them “privileges.” The farmers have theirs, known as “subsidies.” The big corporations want “bailouts.” Even the people in church think they have certain guaranteed rights because of their inside track with God. [He wouldn’t make them suffer or let any difficulty befall them, would he?]
As you view this video, remember, I wouldn’t call it Two Democrats on an Elevator. It could easily be called Two Corporations…, Two Rich People…, or Two Christians….
Principle Based Evaluation: All government begins with self-government and all responsibility should be dealt with at the lowest level possible, starting with the individual.
For more information on the author, Gary Cake, go to: http://www.mtwm.org/
Jaelle Hamann
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Reaching Our Full Potential When it comes to who should take care of you I think the answer is not only God but you. A mindset that Christians can unfortunately get lost on is that I don't have to do anything. And while yes God is our provider and our source is it possible that he gives us opportunities or skills to use to our advantage? This idea reminds me of a story I once heard. So after a big storm hit this man refuses to leave his home even though he's slowly being taken over by water. Several times rescue comes and each time he tells them, "No thanks I'm waiting till God saves me." Then finally water takes over his house and the man drowns. He then stands before God in Heaven and asks him. "God why didn't you save me?" God answers him. "I sent you rescue people three times but each time you turned them away." This is a prime example of people not taking advantage of the tools God has placed before them. You have a responsibility to use your gifts to their full advantages. What happened to the man in the bible who didn't do anything with his talents? It is said that God took them away and gave them to someone else. To get us out of this financial crisis it is our job to take on the responsibility of hard work and dedication. Playing to our strengths, understanding our weaknesses and using our gifts as the stepping stool to which we reach for success arm and arm with God. But something else that I think needs to be addressed is the issue of government. Though I believe that it is not the governments responsibility to step into all matter of things in our lives more government is better than anarchy. It seems like we're heading down a road where government is going to mother us with all kinds of benefits (which we will pay for in the end). Is this the way it has to be? Is there any way to keep this from happening? Can we inspire the public to start believing that they have the power to change their circumstances? |
