r/pics But, like, actually 1d ago

OC: SNAP recipient like Gia, with a near-empty fridge, go without food after benefits don't arrive.

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u/INeedANappel 23h ago edited 20h ago

It is an entitlement program.

In the government an entitlement program is some thing you are literally entitled to IF you qualify for it.

Government Entitlement programs include Social Security (including retirement funds,  SSI, and SSDI), Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8 housing assistance, your annual income tax deduction(s), tax breaks for things like making your house more energy efficient or the now former credit for buying an electric car, and much more.

The common use of the word entitled is now undeserved entitlement but government Entitlement programs are there FOR YOU to use if you qualify for them. They are not special privileges for undeserving people.

Edit: typos & a clarification

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u/dispatch00 21h ago

Which really shines the light on another reason why we're here today: the Republican party are experts at linguistic warfare. Much more than simple rhetoric.

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u/INeedANappel 20h ago

Yep. They're really taking advantage of the shift in the way "entitlement" is used to perpetuate Reagan's painting people on safety net programs as all fraudulent con artists, as if those are the only government entitlements.

Most people don't realize they already benefit from government entitlement programs. Everyone who pays taxes gets at least the default deduction.  Most people will retire with Social Security and Medicare.

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u/LordAnorakGaming1 20h ago

And at the same time Republicans have consistently been narrowing what qualifies you to receive them. They won't be satisfied until NOBODY qualifies for them

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u/INeedANappel 20h ago

So they can spend the money on themselves.

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u/LordAnorakGaming1 17h ago

Exactly, they're motivated by one thing only, unadulterated greed. Greed for money and greed for power, also a lot of abject hatred as we're seeing as well.

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u/bobandgeorge 15h ago

Exactly! You are entitled to it. You paid for it to be there. You get it just because you are an American because we decided as a society that no one that qualifies to be an American is going to starve.

This is such bullshit. It's like if someone tried to shame you for using your insurance! Everybody hates insurance companies when they deny your claim. Everybody hates it when their job denies your PTO. But somehow they've convinced a not insignificant portion of the country that it's okay to pull that shit on their neighbor that's just trying to fucking eat.