As always, conservatives have allowed liberals to co-opt the language. SS and Medicare ARE entitlements. Because we paid in, we are ENTITLED to reap the benefits. Those who have NOT paid in receive HAND-OUTS; they are not ENTITLED to anything.
Paying in doesn’t entitle you to squat. Also, you didn’t pay in.
Hand-outs can be entitlements. Who says otherwise? If we live in a world where your fellowman has a moral claim on your productivity simply because wasn’t as productive as you, and we do, then he is “entitled” to your money. Anyway, it’s not about co-opting the language, really. Though the language does confuse people. They are called entitlements because the gubmint has promised to pay them out, and the law gas been put on cruise control to ensure it happens.