Are entitlements good or bad? Webster's Dictionary defines entitlements as "the right to benefits." In America, we provide benefits to persons unable to work. This includes children, the disabled, and where employment is unavailable. The poor return everything they get into general circulation, especially helping small businesses. Reducing these entitlements, or reducing wages, speaks another message: "You're in my way, so die!"

Jesus introduced entitlements as the beacon of judgment. Those whom God blesses with wealth will be tested on their "brother's keeper" obligations. The helpless will test wealthy people's capacity for compassion. In Matthew, Jesus taught, "I was hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick and you did ... or did not help me." Cheating the poor won't reduce our national debt; but it will expose greed and hypocrisy among the rich.

JOY K. RASCH, Kennewick