> not framing the conversation with the word "entitlements" to subtly imply that ex soldiers are somehow taking more than they deserve. "An entitlement is a gu

> not framing the conversation with the word "entitlements" to subtly imply that ex soldiers are somehow taking more than they deserve. "An entitlement is a guarantee of access to something, such as to Social Security, Medicare or welfare benefits, based on established rights or by legislation." [1] The word got tinged with a pejorative sense in recent years probably because it also has a definition in clinical psychology. We commonly say somebody "has a sense of entitlement". I would not doubt that its a deliberate Republican talking point to use that word rather than "benefits" or "public assistance" in order to associate it with the psychological definition. > In clinical psychology and psychiatry, an unrealistic, exaggerated, or rigidly held sense of entitlement may be considered a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder, seen in those who "because of early frustrations...arrogate to themselves the right to demand lifelong reimbursement from fate." [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entitlement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entitlement