According to Dr. Paul Johnson of Auburn University, an entitlement program can be defined as a, “government program that provides individuals with personal financial benefits...to which an indefinite ... number of potential beneficiaries have a legal right whenever they meet eligibility conditions…” Some such programs include, but are not limited to, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment compensation, and food stamps. Though some, such as social security, have proven to be rather successful since their establishment, they still serve as a popular topic of economic debate. Though some of them do work, they are unfortunately not simply self-sufficient programs. As the name implies, qualified individuals are entitled to receive these benefits
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national deficit, economist and former member of the White House staff, Amitai Etzioni, discusses where cuts should and should not be made to the national budget in order to balance the fund shortage. He criticizes the U.S. government’s backing of banks and Wall Street as the money may be made up by cuts to social programs. Etzioni states that these cuts would in turn affect the lowest social class who tend to benefit from these programs. Etzioni’s journal reflects the liberal perspective of a large and influential government providing for the people: especially when it comes to affairs such as universal healthcare. Though the main focus of the article is making budget cuts in places other than social programs, one underlying ideal that is made clear through his writing, is that publications on entitlement programs do not come without bias. Though Etzioni claims to be non-partisan, it is clear through his spending proposals that he opposes the conservative agenda, fueling the entitlement generation. Authors writing on the general topic of entitlement programs are very “black and white” with their approach, either in full support, or completely against the concept. Etzioni’s essay acts as a direct contradiction to the thoughts in Henry Olsen’s article “The GOP’s Entitlement Challenge” in which Olsen argues that cuts to social programs are necessary to balance the American economy. Olsen is of the conservative opinion that many citizens, though they may even be employed, abuse the services and goods provided by the government. “The Social Security Disability Insurance program was created… to ensure that Americans who could not work because of serious disability would not become poor. Over the years, the definition of serious disability … now includes general complaints of pain and mental issues... The result, combined with … economic difficulties…has been dramatic.” Olsen’s article reflects the other popular
national deficit, economist and former member of the White House staff, Amitai Etzioni, discusses where cuts should and should not be made to the national budget in order to balance the fund shortage. He criticizes the U.S. government’s backing of banks and Wall Street as the money may be made up by cuts to social programs. Etzioni states that these cuts would in turn affect the lowest social class who tend to benefit from these programs. Etzioni’s journal reflects the liberal perspective of a large and influential government providing for the people: especially when it comes to affairs such as universal healthcare. Though the main focus of the article is making budget cuts in places other than social programs, one underlying ideal that is made clear through his writing, is that publications on entitlement programs do not come without bias. Though Etzioni claims to be non-partisan, it is clear through his spending proposals that he opposes the conservative agenda, fueling the entitlement generation. Authors writing on the general topic of entitlement programs are very “black and white” with their approach, either in full support, or completely against the concept. Etzioni’s essay acts as a direct contradiction to the thoughts in Henry Olsen’s article “The GOP’s Entitlement Challenge” in which Olsen argues that cuts to social programs are necessary to balance the American economy. Olsen is of the conservative opinion that many citizens, though they may even be employed, abuse the services and goods provided by the government. “The Social Security Disability Insurance program was created… to ensure that Americans who could not work because of serious disability would not become poor. Over the years, the definition of serious disability … now includes general complaints of pain and mental issues... The result, combined with … economic difficulties…has been dramatic.” Olsen’s article reflects the other popular