On Friday, May 20th, during the second segment of the Diane Rehm Show*, the word 'entitlement' was used in the conversation about Strauss-Kahn, Schwarzenegger, et al - most appropriately, I think. My experience tells me that there is a sense of entitlement among certain people (not just men, not just successful people, famous people, rich people, unique people...). While I can appreciate the life-circumstances, if you will, that encourage this sense, it seems - to me - like a very obvious hazard of the job. Something to be aware of and worked with, for one's own growth.

On the other hand, and the reason this is such a sore point for me:

We have family and friends who are text-book working poor and receive not a penny's-worth of help in any form! Not for lack of trying, either to find help or change their lives.

We also have family and friends who, through no fault of their own, depend entirely on whatever aid is doled out to them. I will admit that these people have come to assume that this safety net will be there (what else can they do?) but, I guarantee you, no one, no one, no one would want their lives! Entitlement indeed! It is a pitiful safety net at best and - given what I often hear - soon to be whittled down to naught.

Perhaps this will begin this change in the conversation; perhaps this is too much to hope for.

 *thedianerehmshow.org