Thank you.

2. I don’t like the term “entitlement” and try not to use it, though I did here. All it really means is that cash or in-kind benefits of some sort will be available to people (and businesses) that meet certain eligibility criteria. But I think it’s acquired negative connotations.

3. I’m glad you made the point about the tax cut “thingy” because it’s certainly true that high-income households benefit from lower tax brackets for households with incomes below $250,000. Eyes glaze over when one talks about marginal tax rates, but I do think we need to find a way to make sure that everyone understands them. The current debate isn’t very helpful.

A couple points on the substance of the issues you bring up.

First, I agree on the framing of taxes as something more of us will eventually have to pay more of. Heck, when I get a job, I’m ready to start doing so.

I don’t know what the messaging should be for the public at large, but I’m convinced when someone tells me how much I pay (not a percent, but actually how much … like a price tag … and what I get and what “we” get). For “x” amount I get roads to drive on with pretty low hassle and a great degree of freedom, I get access to protection (e.g. police, firefighters, food inspectors, etc.). And, I’m also paying in for something I once needed and don’t know what I would have done without (e.g. free lunches at school, heating assistance).

Oh yeah, and there’s the price of admission for being part of America. You’d think for all the flag-wavers, there’s got to be a bearable price for that alone. For all the love about this country, you’d think they’d be willing to pay something for it.

On the issue of entitlements, I also agree with you wholeheartedly. However, I do think we need to find a way to describe entitlements better, or parse them out. A better name is definitely in order because “entitle” has multiple meanings, one with negative connotations.

But semantics aside, I’d help people understand there are different types of entitlements. Some entitlements everyone gets (e.g. if you reach a certain age, Social Security), some entitlements people get because of permanent need (e.g. disability), some entitlements people are guaranteed because of temporary need (e.g. food stamps usually fit here), some entitlements are there to assist people who perform a certain function (e.g. while they should be reformed, farm subsidies fit here).

Lastly, I wanted to comment on the tax cut thingy. The debate has been framed as tax cuts for the middle class versus tax cuts for the wealthy. But let’s be clear, the tax cuts for those below $250,000 is really a tax cut for any income below $250,000. So, for that wealthy household that has taxable income of $250,001. They get a cut on $250,000. It’s only the $1 above $250,000 that doesn’t benefit from the cut.

Keep it up.
Michael