Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The word entitlement is often looked at as a derogatory term. The debate over reducing entitlements, specifically Social Security retirement, is about to rev up if we can believe the pundits. My argument is not whether we should have or not have SS, but people forget to be entitled we first had to pay for and earn it.

These entitlements usually are defined (by Webster’s) as a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract. A government program providing benefits to members of a specified group; also, funds supporting or distributed by such a program.

What is left off of this statement is qualification. To qualify, one must pay along with their employer, if not self-employed, a percentage of their income their entire working life to qualify (earn the right). To fund it everybody pays SS and when you qualify (age and quarters), you qualify (are entitled) to receive a stipend for life. Sounds very much like an annuity, doesn’t it? Bu...