To be or not to be Entitled.

The definition of entitled:to give a person or thing a title, right or claim to something.

Recent media stories and my current work experience keeps bringing this word into my head. I have also heard republicans mention it in debates stating that they are against entitlement. I cant say I blame them.

Being born in America does entitle you to A LOT. Once you are born in this country, you are considered a citizen. That entitles you to free education, free health care (if you can not afford it-more on that in a minute), the right to vote, the right to government services such as WIC, food stamps, social security, subsidized housing, medicaid and medicare.

But should being born here or legally residing in this country be all the criteria that's needed to feel entitled? Lets cut to the chase-I mean-is being a citizen or legal resident all the criteria that's needed to expect hand outs?

I currently work with a large migrant population composed of illegal-aka undocumented workers. I am sure they struggled to get to America in hopes of a better life for them and their children. Some have even left a number of children back home in countries such as Guatemala. However, even though they speak no English and are below the poverty line, they continue to have several children as many as 8, 9,10. Since the children are born here and are citizens, even though both parents are in the US illegally, they receive all of the benefits listed above. This includes free health care and vaccines at local health departments and the mothers also receive free prenatal and postnatal care at these clinics. In addition, many white, black and Spanish American women with little education, no job, and dependent on public assistance have child after child expecting everything to be handed to them. I did say many-not all. A few have even mentioned to the hospital staff that they will be back the following year since they get more money for each child. The mothers ask me to sign WIC forms that entitles them to free formula. When I mention that they need to have it signed by their primary care physician in a week, they ask me how are they supposed to get or pay for the formula for a week. I'm sorry-did you not think of that prior to having the baby? Shouldn't you have some responsibility for the child or children you created? Plus, breastfeeding is free :-)

All I'm simply asking is what happened to being responsible? If physically and mentally able, why not work hard to provide for yourself and your family and make rational choices as to how big that family should be. Nadia Suleman aka Octomom comes to mind. She chose to have 14 children and is now in jeopardy of losing her home. Because she stated several times that she would not ask for public assistance, she has posed nude and is considering porn to save her home and keep her kids. Also, a man was in the news recently that is asking for a break from paying child support for his 30 children!! No, he is not a sperm donor. He just willingly had 30 children with different women and he is not a millionaire.

Here in lies the problem. This is America and I do not think any American with a heart could stand by and watch a child go without food, shelter or an education. Also, we can not stand by and see a pregnant women without offering medical care if needed. We can not see someone who is sick and is in need of medical attention to save their life and not do so. But who pays for these services? Taxpayers. Hard working taxpayers including working class individuals that can barely provide for their own families and go without health insurance since they may be at that precarious line where they make too much to get free health care, food stamps etc but they don't make enough to pay for it. Even for those that are in the so called "high tax brackets" but not in the elite 1%, that did not inherit their money but instead worked long and hard for it, why should their tax dollars go towards paying for those that do not think before they act? To those that assume, rightfully so, that they don't have to since it will be given to them no questions asked? Shouldn't there be some punishment for such actions? After the fact, shouldn't there be some law that forces people to learn a trade and work to help provide for themselves and their families? I was struck last year by the fact that different families-2 single mothers each with 4 children- applied to rent my mother's home using section 8 vouchers. They were given a large enough amount based on how many children they had that would allow them to rent a single family house with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage in a quiet gated suburban community. There were several working class families with 2 working parents and less children that could not afford it. Isn't there something wrong with this picture?

I will always agree with taking care of children, the disabled, veterans who are brave enough to serve this country and the mentally ill. But for able bodied individuals, shouldn't they want to or be forced to contribute to society, work hard and make responsible decisions vs doing whatever they want knowing the rest of the country "got their back" at whose expense? Taxpayers.

Thoughts?