Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Entitlements are the collective federal programs (such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid) that provide guaranteed benefits, mostly to the poor and the elderly. In the following viewpoint, Daniel Patrick Moynihan argues that entitlements are the most solvent part of the federal budget—Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance each receiving more revenues than benefits disbursed. Moynihan opposes suggestions to cut Social Security benefits and maintains that, with certain adjustments, the system will be sustainable well into the twenty- first century. Moynihan is a Democratic senator from New York.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How did the term “entitlement” originate, according to Moynihan?
2. In Moynihan’s opinion, how does Social Security help the budget deficit?
3. Why are objections that workers receive greater Social Security benefits than they contributed...