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The poor can feel entitled to welfare payments. The privileged can feel entitled to every cent of their property. In my view the fast and easy presumption of entitlement hardens the heart. It too often encourages false pride and selfishness and destroys a sense of generosity and indebtedness. Is there anything to which each person is entitled? Take the newborn baby who has not as yet "earned" anything. To what is that baby entitled? Or take the serial killer, to what is he entitled. This is another way of asking are there any inherent entitlements due everyone?
The
answer to this question is not subject to proof. It will inevitably
arise from conviction and belief. Certainly my point of view is
influence by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. One way of
looking at this document is to see it as a listing of limitations.
Personal actions (and those of any institution) are strictly limited
to accommodate the rights and freedoms of others. Inherent
entitlements are the indebtedness owed by all to all. From my
experience and belief those entitlements are dignity and respect. This
is evidence in the courtroom when someone on trial for the most
heinous crimes is demonstrably treated with dignity and respect. And
after conviction, should that be the outcome, the criminal is due and
given dignity and respect during incarceration. When incarcerated in
the 1960s, I saw this indebtedness exercised first hand. It was shown by the
penal institution to all inmates. Thus, ironically, I was never more
proud of my country than when imprisoned by it. In a sense prisons
are a test that come to symbolize the seriousness with which the
scope of these ultimate entitlements of dignity and respect are taken
by a country. That is why abuses to incarcerated war combatants
while understandable are fundamentally disturbing, discordant, and
unacceptable. To say that everyone is entitled to dignity and respect
carries with it implications that are open to endless public
discussion and debate. Nevertheless, it is important and useful to
identify and stay grounded in these bedrock values.
