From Wikipedia: An entitlement is a guarantee of access to benefits based on established rights or legislation. A “right” is itself an entitlement associated with a moral or social principal such that an “entitlement” is a provision made in accordance with legal framework of a society.
Also, the term “entitlement” refers to a notion or belief that one (or oneself) is deserving of some particular reward or benefit—if given without deeper legal or principled cause, the term is often given with pejorative connotation (e.g. a “sense of entitlement”).
I think the $2 million Michigan lottery winner who is still using food stamps really exemplifies the pejorative connotation.
I will give Mr. Fick props for notifying the state of Michigan about his lottery winnings. However, the fact he still uses food stamps with the state’s blessing is enraging. Especially considering Michigan just was granted a waiver that makes it more difficult for college students to receive food stamps.
Just because it is legal, doesn’t make it right. Here is hoping that Michigan changes their regulations for food stamps.
