Beware “Entitlement Reform”

During the presidential debate last night, the term “entitlement reform” was repeatedly bandied about, but little was said in the way of concrete proposals.

To be sure, something must be done about Social Security and Medicare. Both programs are woefully underfunded in the long run. Either they, or the Federal government, or both, are facing disaster within a few decades if the gap between anticipated revenues and anticipated expenses is allowed to grow.

Both programs are also cornerstones of middle class prosperity. Without Social Security and Medicare, the majority of middle class households will face poverty in their old age. If anyone gets sick, that poverty will quickly turn to utter destitution. These programs must be saved.

The problem is referring to them as “entitlements.” American workers aren’t merely “entitled” to these things, they’ve earned, and paid for them. Check out this editorial about the so-called entitlement spending crisis.