Reform entitlements?
Yeah, sure they are, after 30+ years of unfettered global corporate capitalism outsourcing and off-shoring millions upon millions of career-worthy jobs, many with pensions and fringe benefits such as health and dental care. At first it was mostly limited to traditional "blue-collar" employment in industry and manufacturing, however, by the late 90s with the rise and proliferation of broadband internet, then "white-collar" jobs, most that required a college degree if not post-graduate schooling, as well as advanced training, experience and skills, such as in the medical, legal, and tech fields began to be "exported" out of the country as well.
But now, after much of the damage has been done to our formerly robust, manufacturing-based economy, to a largely transitional and vaporous "services-based" economy and the invasions and occupations of not one but two nations, both that were launched w/o a draft, or any tax increases to fund either one, and a huge boomer segment of the population on the verge of retirement the Republicans believe that so-called "socialist" entitlements need to be "reformed" ie..drastically reduced or better still eliminated, and those who might qualify due to age, health, and/or income become subject to a more strict evaluation of their financial/employment situation, which of course would be very expensive to process on a case by case basis. So most likely the GOP would prefer to just "simplify" rejection or approval by some means that would likely be more all-exclusive, rather than all-inclusive, instead of weeding out those who might not qualify for some, most, or all government assistance.
Too bad for conservatives that it could result in some if not many of their own struggling rightwing ilk who might also be cut off from most government support, or out and out rejected as well. But given that rightwingers motto/mantra is that of "personal responsibility" and most tending to be flat-out sociopaths, the fact that their own ilk or even kinfolk might become homeless, starving, destitute, ill, commit crimes to survive, or even eventually deceased and in an early grave as a result, well...that would be very regrettable...but necessary. They would be remembered as being "true" patriots, especially many who might make the ultimate sacrifice for "God and Country".
I have noticed that the GOP are very short-sighted, especially about the dire or much worse, the grave consequences of fucking around with entitlements. Perhaps they know that they cannot deeply slash or eliminate them, and are only telling their rightwing constituents what they want to hear, but they have little if any intention of actually attempting to implement many reforms. They will simply continue to blame Democrats for the explosive growth of those citizens who are or will become partly or entirely dependent upon living off the public dole, at least some through no fault of their own, or when they become of an age (50s) where they are no longer very desirable as employees, due to seniority, receiving so many annual pay increases for longevity, accrued "sick days" and vacation time, and/or the ever-rising cost of providing healthcare insurance coverage b/c it is actually being used by many of them.
If most or all entitlements were sharply reduced or eliminated, many rightwingers must believe that those affected could then survive through charity, family, friends, and prayer by attending church. The fact is that NONE of those alternatives would be sufficient to assist the additional tens of millions who would become affected, especially those who are disabled, infirm, ill, or frail from age. Many would soon be forced to turn to committing crimes like robbery and muggings, and most would eventually be caught, arrested, tried, convicted. and sentenced to jail or prisons, where they would obtain food, water, shelter, and guidance/control, as well as dental/medical care 24/7/365...all on the taxpayers' dime.
