Cartoon 828: Which Entitlements?

A nation evolves from iterations of human development towards a common good. The earliest model is the family followed by the clan or group of relatives. Next is the tribe or collection of people in a community. Finally we come to various types of nations. Nations are a larger more diverse federation. An example is reference of the Sioux Nation in American history. It was a tribe collective.

In Biblical texts is mentioned to “…Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10). It was one of the most recognized means of social security. People were to put aside a percentage of their increase [plants and animals] for the time when things were not so good. This stored increase would be apportioned among the needy in bad times.

Governments operate in a similar manner. The “tithes” are taxes. The money is to be used for the collective. What has happen is a perversion. We have declared corporations to be a legal “person”. That legal entity has grown enormously wealthy and powerful. It vacuums the increase in the storehouse (tax dollars). We have become a society giving entitlements to “the first among equals”, the richest 1% in America. Their avarice knows no bounds. They contribute less and less to the collective and garner an ever increasing tithe portion to themselves.

If we are to cut back on entitlements, we have to start with the lion’s share. Start with the entitlements of the richest 1% and their corporate vassals in America.