What's an "entitlement"? What's a hand-out? Well, a hand-out is when a complete stranger gives to another complete stranger something or other. Once in a while, one reads where someone drives up to a street-corner and tenders a few bucks to someone completely unknown to them. Not many of those around and never done in a consistent or regular manner. An "entitlement" is not a handout, it's, as the word denotes, something someone is entitled too and is usually done in a systematic and consistent manner. Individuals are not necessarilly obligated to other individuals. Some people do become obligated to others and extend that obligation within the parameters of the obligation; like employers to employees, as well as employees to employers. (Works both ways) An "entitlement" also works both ways. Government is the only agency that can have a duty to grant so-called "entitlements" because it has a duty to the "condition of togetherness". Government has political power, because the Bottom of government(the People) has entitled those in power to occupy that political position. Without that position, no power. Political power is the only mandatory entitlement in a condition of togetherness. Outside of politics, power does not exist; only individuals with a political Right to Freedom and Equality. 'Might' might exist(no pun intended)but only if we equate it with guns and weapons of mass dstruction. But, might applies to 'things', not people. People have no power, only Freedom and Equality.( at least in a democracy) So, Social security, food stamps, Welfare, etc. are only duties or obligations the government has to the 'condition of togethernes' which grants office-holders the only entitlement in the world, namely, political power. The People owe government only the right to be law abiding and to remain within the confines of the Constitution; to the contrary, Government has a duty to the People under the Constitution, or to every individual within its jurisdiction. The word "entitlement" should be replaced with the word "Constitutional Right".