Back By Popular Demand

Back by popular demand is another satirical approach to the increasingly common sentiment that entitlement to what we think we deserve versus what we can afford is corrupting this nation.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/clips/snl-skit-dont-buy-stuff-you-cant-afford-252491.php

Is the entitlement mentality really just a product of tunnel vision? Have we come to a place where members of our society are incapable of seeing beyond their immediate wants? How do we teach a "work before buy" mentality?

Perhaps comedic clips such as this one will speak to the hearts of some who truly have never understood an "earn it" mentality. While I still believe some entitlement policy is necessary for various populations, clearly there are many in this country that could use some enlightenment on entitlement.

"In the know" on entitlement

With our country's crazy economic times, one fascinating and perhaps positive response from the public is surfacing. Individuals are finding themselves "in the know" or increasingly aware of government's management of their tax dollars. With this heightened awareness of government spending, entitlement policies are thoroughly scrutinized with opinions and suggestions cropping up like green grass after spring's first rainfall. Stuart M. Butler Ph.D, of Heritage Foundation makes several suggestions for the future of entitlement policies emphasizing the need to remember our future generations:

"In this vision of the future, therefore, social insurance programs would no longer be entitle ments without limits. Nor would they have an auto matic preemption of resources over the needs of other features of our social contract, such as educa tion and housing. And no longer would the finan cial interests of today's active and retired generations automatically take precedence over the financial interests of our grandchildren."

With so many people "in the know" regarding suggestions for policy making and in this case entitlement policy, can our leaders actually adopt some of these suggestions? Or, are they too enmeshed in the system of "i'll scratch your back if you loan me a billion dollars?"

Comedic Response to Entitlement

One way to approach the entitlement mentality is through comedy. This clip on youtube does just that....reduces our ever-changing perspectives to absurb levels. I've mentioned before that media outlets are a great way to produce change in public opinion and consequent public policies. Differing approaches that promote ideas can be a good thing. This time, it's a comedian on the soap box....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

Do you think comedy is capable of producing change?

Extra Entitlement "Read All About It"

Headlines everywhere are smitten with phrases like, "Obama's Entitlement Plans"..... Entitlement issues are intertwined with the failing economy and the bailout bonanza we are currently seeing permeate our news. Debated money woes are the news of this generation. It may be interesting for some of you to know that predictions of our current situation cried a warning of disaster, pointing the finger to an entitlement policy-led government. While most would agree our current situation is more complicated than just an entitlement issue, we can benefit from seeing several sides to the entitlement predicament. One year ago this month, Jonathan Hoenig wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal titled, "Entitlement Mentality is Wrecking Economy." He stresses it is a "bad philosophy" to believe "that the government is responsible for our lives" ending his article by stating:

"It's more than evident that a government "safety net" is anything but safe. Instead of the altruist philosophy that only the needy matter, our country desperately needs to return to the notion of rugged individualism under which we are each responsible for and capable of achieving our own security without the immoral coercion of publicity-seeking politicians. Any alternative leads to dependency, stagnation and economic despair."

Currently, most corporations and citizens are responding to the economic crisis with a reliance on governmental assistance. Clearly the entitlement mentality is alive and kicking. Where do you think people should turn during this time of need?