There has been much talk lately about entitlements. Most of the talk seems to center around the cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. These are called entitlements; because the recipients are entitled to the cash. After all, recipients of Social Security and Medicare have paid into the system for most (if not all) of their working lives. Lately, we've heard that Healthcare, Collective bargaining, and a college education are also universal entitlements. It's time to look at what we really ARE entitled to from our federal government.

We are entitled to a clear separation of powers on the federal level. (Article 2 Section 2)

We are entitled to the separation of powers between the federal and state governments. (Amendment 10)

We are entitled to have the laws that affect us created by legislators elected by ñ and thus answerable to ñ the people. (Article 1 Section 1)

We are entitled to see our tax money spent in ways that we approve; for the benefit of ALL citizens. (Article 1 Section 8)

We are entitled to a common defense from foreign invasion and domestic violence (that the states cannot control). (Article 4 Section 4)

We are entitled to judges who are bound by the supreme law of the land. (Article 6)

We are entitled to vote, no matter who we are. (Amendment 19, 24, & 26)

You will notice that I didn't touch on any of the rights guaranteed (but not granted) by the constitution. These are rights, not entitlements. The difference? Rights are something you're born with. But you can be forgiven if you thought rights and entitlements are the same thing; according to Webster's 9th Collegiate dictionary, they became synonyms in 1944.

It's sad, really; the noble concepts of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness can now safely be lumped together with a monthly check from the government. Money taken from others to be redistributed to those more deserving of it.  

Tim Fullerton