Public Policy: Entitlements

Answer in a complete sentence Success Criteria 2/23/2017 1.We can identify the meaning of entitlements. 2.We can compare and contrast the purposes of gov’t entitlements. 3.We can analyze the different entitlement programs to understand what each one does. 4.We can evaluate the use of entitlement programs by writing arguments. Answer in a complete sentence Do you think it is fair that the gov’t takes money from workers’ paycheck and uses it to help people with low-income? Why or why not? What is the benefit of these? What is the cost?

House Cleaning Check yourself at the door! Do you have your binder? Do you have something to write with? Make Up Work is due by Thursday!! Tinyurl.com/mr-krzys Notebook Quiz Friday, March 3rd Unit 4 Test Make-Ups!

Read the Scenario Given to You and Answer the Following Questions How would you feel if you knew most people had more than you? 2. How would you feel if you knew that most people had less than you?

Scenario 1 When you walk into your dining room, a table is elegantly set. Linen tablecloths cover the candle-lit table. The china is the best money can buy, and the silverware is gold plated. Sparking water, wine, fruit juices and all manner of beverages are available in an unlimited supply. The first course of the meal is a seafood soup, with toasted bread. This course is followed by seared pears with cheese on roasted potatoes. For the entrée, you have the choice of roasted herbed pork shoulder, stuffed lobster with mushrooms, or prime rib cooked to order. Desserts include cakes, pies, fruit and tartlets, and you may choose as many as you like.

Scenario 2 When you walk into your dining room, dinner has been laid out for you. The table is neatly set, but there are no cloth napkins – just paper ones. The meal you will eat is a plain chicken and rice dish, very tasty, but simple. The dish is severed with broccoli and milk.

Scenario 3 When you walk into your dining room, there are four bowls on the table – each is filled with a watery soup. In the soup you can see bits of green, which look like kale, or spinach, and small bits of pink, which appear to be some kind of meat. You can’t tell exactly what the food in the soup is because the soup has been cooking so long the flavor has been cooked out of it. You share the soup with your siblings, and although no one is satisfied when the meal is over, everyone realizes it’s better than having nothing to eat.

Now that you have heard all of the scenarios… Is it fair that some people have a lot to eat while others don’t? Why or why not? Do you think it is the government’s job to ensure that everyone has enough to eat? How would you feel if the government required those with a lot to eat to share with those who have very little to eat?

So, what are Entitlements? Entitlements – gov’t programs that guarantee access to benefits for specific groups in society

How are they distributed? Grant - an amount of money that is given to a person or group of people Subsidy - financial aid from the gov’t Redistribution of Wealth - taking money or resources from some people and giving it to others who have less

Why do we have Entitlements? Economic Equity - every person should have equal opportunity to participate in the economy and should be treated fairly Economic Security - people should be protected from economic risks and difficulties Although recessions and unemployment will always happen, the government tries to ensure that every person has a bare minimum of resources.

Increased Home Ownership - families that own homes instead of renting are usually wealthier and more stable than families that rent

Affordable Higher Education - it is important that every qualified student have the opportunity to go to college so that our economy can remain competitive

Affordable Healthcare - the government believes that every person should be able to afford to stay healthy.

Arguments For/Against Entitlements Democrats usually favor entitlements, since they think the government should help those that cannot provide for themselves Republicans usually DO NOT favor them, since they think that people should fend for themselves and those with jobs should not have to help those that do not

Gallery Walk You have 5 minutes to read the station and answer the questions. You must answer all questions for each!!!

Quick 5 You have been put in charge of the US budget and it is clear that you need to make some cuts. You can only keep TWO entitlement programs. Which two do you pick and why? Why are they worth keeping?