Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Actual left/right wing discussion -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (10008)	8/4/2011 7:55:15 AM
From: Lane3	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10087

The answer seems to hang on what comprises "financial obligations." The phrasing in this clip differentiates between financial obligations and benefits suggesting that at least some entitlement benefits are not financial obligations: "An entitlement in the fiscal sense is any financial obligation or benefit due from the government under contract or legislation. This can include government pensions, social security, unemployment coverage, and other payments provided by law." wiki.answers.com This one obviously considers Medicare and SS benefits, at least, to be financial obligations: "The government added $5.3 trillion in new financial obligations in 2010, largely for retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. That brings to a record $61.6 trillion the total of financial promises not paid for." usatoday.com I can't find anything more definitive so I guess we won't resolve this one. Not that it matters. The question was only one of terminology, never of substance.