Government programs called entitlements have developed a negative connotation with many, in spite of the fact that they include food, medical care and subsistence money. Some believe those who use them could do without them, if only they would try harder, do this or that, or just cope.
Entitlements provide for basic needs. Abraham Maslow was a well-known American psychologist who developed a ranking of human needs. He started with basic needs such as food, water, housing, all the way up to self-actualization. In spite of how high Maslow's need structure goes, I'm just talking about the lowest rung — basic needs.
Rightfully, there is a concern for the cost of these programs of need; however, who in good conscience would argue against them? These programs are an effort to assist people meet their basic needs in order that they be more effective citizens for society as a whole. As such, let us change the name from "entitlements" to "programs for basic needs."
Bill Shapiro
Schenectady