Entitlement – What Are You Owed?

For as long as I can remember, politicians and pundits have tried to make “entitlement” sound like a dirty word. So what is entitlement, actually? Merriam-Webster says this:

• 1:
  • a: the state or condition of being entitled : right
  • b: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
• 2: belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges
• 3: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group
  • also : funds supporting or distributed by such a program

But what does that really mean? Are you entitled to certain rights or benefits from the government?

The short answer: Yes.

The date was Dec 16, 1773. A bunch of angry colonists got together and hurled the King’s tea into the sea to make a statement: No taxation without representation. Since then, the battle has raged on (rhetorically) about how and when taxes should be collected and spent. America, with its capitalist economy, has promoted rugged individualism. The American Dream is all about making a name for yourself and living a good life in the face of adversity. But what if I told you this push toward rugged individualism was all a lie?

Rugged Individualism For Thee, Socialism For Me

Let’s take a look at just one person: Elon Musk. Musk’s SpaceX company, as of 2025, has gathered more than $38 billion in government subsidies. Where did this money come from? That’s right, you and me, the average taxpayer. I am an avid space-enjoyer, and I think rockets and satellites are pretty cool, but why do we need to subsidize the richest man in the world, worth nearly $1 trillion? Why can’t he pay for the company out of his own coffers? I personally don’t want to give Musk any of my tax dollars. To make the situation even worse, Musk and his DOGE team spent 2025 slashing funding for programs that support average Americans everywhere.

So What Are We Owed?

The economy isn’t doing great right now. The cost of living and inflation are up, while wages and the job market stagnate. If the richest man in the world thinks he needs our money to continue operations, then imagine what the poorest Americans feel like. America is the only industrialized nation that does not offer universal healthcare. While we send weapons to Israel and fund their genocidal wars, their citizens are able to get free healthcare. It doesn’t seem fair or just, does it?

Taxes are a patriotic duty to fund the betterment of my community and society at large. Right now, I am not reaping those benefits. Here in Wayne County Indiana, we have crumbling roads and infrastructure, while our governor has deemed it necessary to get a landing pad for his helicopter, and he wants to turn I-70 into a toll road. How does any of that benefit the average person?

We are owed a livable wage. We are owed affordable housing. We are owed education and healthcare. It’s time to demand more from our leaders. They are supposed to be representatives, not rulers.