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There are only two things we as human beings are entitled to on this earth; to live until we die and to die! Seem a little harsh? Think about it, even the credo we live by here in the united states of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is not really an entitlement. It is something we like to believe all Americans are entitled to but it is much more complex than that.

Some people believe that their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness out-ranks or trumps other people. As much so that they will rob, injure or kill to get what they believe they are "entitled" to. Are they really entitled to that? Of course not but somehow that is their view of the picture.

Other people believe that because people are of another race or color that they don't deserve the same "entitlements" as themselves and go out of their way to make sure they don't get them.

Still others believe that because they are wealthy that they are somehow elevated above all of the riffraff and deserve "entitlements" their social and economical position demand. The general aloofness of a person in this category is sickening.

As Americans we should know better than anyone how valuable our freedom is. It has been paid for over the generations by our sons and daughters with blood. Do you think that any of these brave people would tell you today that they only fought for the rich or the poor or the white race or Italians or anyone in particular? No, they would tell you they fought for Americans! Americans, black, white, rich, poor, intelligent or learning impaired, it didn't matter, they were all the same!

Entitlement to me is nothing more than a word a politician uses to control some of his constituents. People today should be more concerned with what they earn than what they are entitled to. I found something to be invariably true as my children grew into adulthood. The things I gave them they very rarely took care of but the things I made them earn were treasured.

In today's America with our government putting our nation on the brink of bankruptcy through entitlement programs, we as Americans need to re-examine the real needs of this country. Can we as a nation afford these "entitlements" any longer? Can the backs of the middle class withstand any more weight from taxes to pay for them?

Learn more about this author, Rodney Harris.
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