Seems like everyone has some sort of prejudices, whether it be against a certain race, gender, wage-earner group, etc.

What is your opinion of prejudices? Do you think some are warranted? What are some of your prejudices?

Seems like everyone has some sort of prejudices, whether it be against a certain race, gender, wage-earner group, etc.

What is your opinion of prejudices? Do you think some are warranted? What are some of your prejudices?

I think, deep down, everyone has some sort of prejudices. IMO, the key is to be tolerant and accept each other as fellow human beings. Sometimes that's hard because we have a desire to be with those that are like us in some way. When there are those that don't match up with our views, tastes, likes/dislikes, we all tend to be a bit prejudiced.

My prejudices are people who live off the system (i.e. food stamps, SSI checks, and other donations and help from the state and others) when they are capable to earn a living like everyone else. I know some people are in need of these services. But there are too many people that abuse them and get away with it. They don't work and freeload off of people to support their loser habits of alchohol, drugs, or whatever else they need.

Mine are hicks., mainly. I also can not stand yuppies (people who just because they have a more professional job than you or make more than you they think they are better than you), women who want Stanley Stunning or Mr. Bigbux, and I have a very hard time with extreem liberals.

Are they justified? Probably not. However, I have certain feelings about the actions of these groups. The yuppies and the women who want Stanley or Bigbux are usually very rude and selfish. I have feelings about hicks, however, I will keep those private.

My prejudices are people who live off the system (i.e. food stamps, SSI checks, and other donations and help from the state and others) when they are capable to earn a living like everyone else. I know some people are in need of these services. But there are too many people that abuse them and get away with it. They don't work and freeload off of people to support their loser habits of alchohol, drugs, or whatever else they need.

I couldn't agree more. Everytime I see a person with tons of kids swipe their access card at Wal-Mart while talking on their cell phone, it makes me sick! Heck, I can't afford a cell phone. Maybe I should get on the system! lol!
My wife works for an oral surgeons group, and she always hates when medicare patients come in and complain about the quality of care they're receiving. Like they have room to complain.

I couldn't agree more. Everytime I see a person with tons of kids swipe their access card at Wal-Mart while talking on their cell phone, it makes me sick! Heck, I can't afford a cell phone. Maybe I should get on the system! lol!
My wife works for an oral surgeons group, and she always hates when medicare patients come in and complain about the quality of care they're receiving. Like they have room to complain.

Then watch them get into the brand new 2005 Cadillac they just took delivery of and follow them to their home in Rivendel.

Now, THAT is sick.

I don't want people to take me the wrong way. I think public assistance is important and helpful for many. Unfortuantely, there are many that simply abuse the system and suck off of it, as if this were a communist/socialist state. I simply have a problem with lazy people that don't want to help themselves.

Why would a "lazy freeloader" help themselves when it is easier to abuse the system. People with their mentality will always take the easiest way out and unfortunately our "system" allows it. I know what you mean by it making you sick to see people use their access cards while on their cell phones or driving their nice cars. They have all the time in the world to do what they want while everyone else is working hard just to earn a living. It just makes me sick too. To think of all the people who abuse the system out there, playing right now at the lake or getting their hair done, etc. while I am sitting here at work. And in a way my work and tax dollars our helping to support their ways.

Why would a "lazy freeloader" help themselves when it is easier to abuse the system. People with their mentality will always take the easiest way out and unfortunately our "system" allows it. I know what you mean by it making you sick to see people use their access cards while on their cell phones or driving their nice cars. They have all the time in the world to do what they want while everyone else is working hard just to earn a living. It just makes me sick too. To think of all the people who abuse the system out there, playing right now at the lake or getting their hair done, etc. while I am sitting here at work. And in a way my work and tax dollars our helping to support their ways.
I guess that would be one of my top prejudices...the lazy freeloaders. They are the ones that know all the loopholes, and know how to work the welfare system. Another thing that bugs me are the ones who aren't really handicapped, yet, they are very good friends with their doctor, so he signs the paperwork and they receive a handicapped placard so that they can always park up front. So many people abuse the handicap system (that's another thread).

I also can't stand the freeloaders that can't make their house payment or pay their utility bills, but they have a cell phone and satellite TV with 900 channels. They are the ones that say there are no jobs available out there. Of course, they want to start out at $10.00 and hour, and everywhere there are jobs available, you have to start at the bottom.

I don't want people to take me the wrong way. I think public assistance is important and helpful for many. Unfortuantely, there are many that simply abuse the system and suck off of it, as if this were a communist/socialist state. I simply have a problem with lazy people that don't want to help themselves.
Couldnt have said it better myself. If your able to go out and work, and be a productive member of society, go and at least try to do your part, instead of having me support your lazy ass. I dont mind helping those who really need it, but I am forced by my own government to help those who dont also, and that just burns me.

Why would a "lazy freeloader" help themselves when it is easier to abuse the system. People with their mentality will always take the easiest way out and unfortunately our "system" allows it. I know what you mean by it making you sick to see people use their access cards while on their cell phones or driving their nice cars. They have all the time in the world to do what they want while everyone else is working hard just to earn a living. It just makes me sick too. To think of all the people who abuse the system out there, playing right now at the lake or getting their hair done, etc. while I am sitting here at work. And in a way my work and tax dollars our helping to support their ways.
Right on Goddess.

Here is a question though.

How can we at first glance, tell apart the "freeloader" from the mother who truly needs it?

Perhaps a mother who's husband supported the family, and has left her alone, and isn't paying child support, or maybe the husband all of a sudden died, and had no life insurance.

How can we tell apart the one who sits at home waiting for the welfare check to come, from the one who works a part time nite job, and a part time job during the day because she can't afford to send her kids to daycare, and needs to take care of some of them who are too young for school.

How can we tell apart the one who foolishly puts all their money into some new "ride" with rims, beats, and chrome. Versus the mother who is too scared to break down on the side of the road with a car full of kids in her old clonker that she takes a risks, and try's to get something roadworthy, that she won't have to be calling people all the time to give her a jump, or fix this, or that.

How can we tell the one who abuses the system and lives in a nice area, versus the one who decided she didn't want her kids being shot at, or getting used to gangs, drugs, and police lights every night, so she again takes a risk, and is able to balance things and pay more for a decent house in a decent neighborhood, only because her food for her kids is covered, and she gets help with her utilities.

The only way to tell the difference between them, is to get to know them. It's easy at first glance to classify everyone who uses an access card, and has a cell phone as a "freeloader", or just because they cash a welfare check at the check cashing place as abusing the system. I know many many many people who used the system as a handup, not a hand out. And were almost to the point of shame when they used government assistance. Nothing makes you feel worse, than getting glances, and sneers and jeers from strangers when you are doing everything in your power to pull yourself out of whatever situation you may have found yourself in, whether your own fault, or no fault of your own.

Anyways, yes there are freeloaders, but at first glance you can't tell them apart from those who the system was setup for.

Here is a question though.

How can we at first glance, tell apart the "freeloader" from the mother who truly needs it?

Perhaps a mother who's husband supported the family, and has left her alone, and isn't paying child support, or maybe the husband all of a sudden died, and had no life insurance.

How can we tell apart the one who sits at home waiting for the welfare check to come, from the one who works a part time nite job, and a part time job during the day because she can't afford to send her kids to daycare, and needs to take care of some of them who are too young for school.

How can we tell apart the one who foolishly puts all their money into some new "ride" with rims, beats, and chrome. Versus the mother who is too scared to break down on the side of the road with a car full of kids in her old clonker that she takes a risks, and try's to get something roadworthy, that she won't have to be calling people all the time to give her a jump, or fix this, or that.

How can we tell the one who abuses the system and lives in a nice area, versus the one who decided she didn't want her kids being shot at, or getting used to gangs, drugs, and police lights every night, so she again takes a risk, and is able to balance things and pay more for a decent house in a decent neighborhood, only because her food for her kids is covered, and she gets help with her utilities.

The only way to tell the difference between them, is to get to know them. It's easy at first glance to classify everyone who uses an access card, and has a cell phone as a "freeloader", or just because they cash a welfare check at the check cashing place as abusing the system. I know many many many people who used the system as a handup, not a hand out. And were almost to the point of shame when they used government assistance. Nothing makes you feel worse, than getting glances, and sneers and jeers from strangers when you are doing everything in your power to pull yourself out of whatever situation you may have found yourself in, whether your own fault, or no fault of your own.

Anyways, yes there are freeloaders, but at first glance you can't tell them apart from those who the system was setup for.


You are correct that not everyone abuses the system. Some people are in true need of assistance and I 100% agree with our state and our tax dollars helping those people. Outsiders can't tell them apart at a first glance. However, people who know them ( the freeloaders) know they are abusing the system. I on the otherhand have known of and witnessed people who abuse the system more often than people who actually need it. But I wonder how many people are really trying to pull their lives together. Some people get assistance b/c of the children they have, but yet they never seem to have their children. Their children are at a grandparents or someone elses house 95 % of the time yet these people still draw the welfare money and access funds to feed their children. The DHS should have their social workers or hire employees in a position where they can monitor the people who use the state services. I don't mean spy on them, but I honestly believe there are far more people who use the system for everything they can for their benefit when in fact they can make it without it. Its a part of not being lazy. Get up in the morning and go to work 5 days a week like normal people. The program to help these people get on their own feet without assistance needs to shape up. I don't know exactly how since I'm not sure how it works in the first place, but I know it needs improvement. I can tell that by the people who abuse the system for years and continue to get away with it. Just my opinion though!

Seems like everyone has some sort of prejudices, whether it be against a certain race, gender, wage-earner group, etc.

What is your opinion of prejudices? Do you think some are warranted? What are some of your prejudices?

No prejudice is warranted. Anyone who judges people by the group they belong to is a moron.

Take the time to get to know individuals before passing judgement.

No prejudice is warranted. Anyone who judges people by the group they belong to is a moron.

Take the time to get to know individuals before passing judgement.

You might think that, however, everyone has at least one pejudice. Some people are in denial, so they fail to admit it.

I for one, admit to mine... Extreeme liberals and hicks.

You might think that, however, everyone has at least one pejudice. Some people are in denial, so they fail to admit it.

I for one, admit to mine... Extreeme liberals and hicks.


I never claimed not to have personal prejudices, you made an assumption there.

I never claimed not to have personal prejudices, you made an assumption there.

I do not "assume." Plus, if you read my post, it does not state anyone in particular execpt me. YOU are the one "assuming." Actually, you are assuing.

I do not "assume." Plus, if you read my post, it does not state anyone in particular execpt me. YOU are the one "assuming." Actually, you are assuing.


And if you read my post, I was not replying to you, but to Patrick. However thank you for dropping the level of the conversation to name calling.

Yes you didn't call me out by name, so perhaps there was an assumption that you were talking about me when you said "Some people are in denial, so they fail to admit it.".

However you did quote me in the process of making the statement, so I think the assumption was merited.

I have a very serious problem with people who don't like "hicks," "hillbillies," ect. I'm a loyal Democrat and always have been but this high-hat stuff is ruining our Party and costing us election after election. A person who is lower middle class, lives in a mobile home, drives a truck and listens to country music and works with his hands and goes to church and loves his country...that group should be about 80% Democratic voters. But because too many snobs in the Party can't STAND people like that, we keep losing them, and losing their states. Howard Dean started to finally "get it," and he got clobbered for saying it because of the ridiculous fear of the Confederate flag, which is NOT a "racist symbol."

I also have this thing about piercings. I work with a kid, a college student...he's a really good worker, kind of a quiet no-nonsense person, pretty respectful, I really like that kind of person usually...and he has two of those disgusting things in his dang lip. It looks gross. I really hate it, a lot, and I feel like I owe it to him to tell him "Man, if you want a JOB when you get out of school you better look like a human being not some circus freak" but I'd probably get into trouble for it.

And while I don't think it's a bad thing at all to hold this view, I do really hate bigots of all types. Racists, homophobes, sexists, people who dislike people with different religions, I just hate that a lot. My father in law has passed away but he used to make comments about Muslims and Arabs that were so Archie Bunker and it made me want to puke.

Prejudices are inevitable and unavoidable. The problem is that some people can't get past them to see what the individual person is about.

Prejudices are inevitable and unavoidable. The problem is that some people can't get past them to see what the individual person is about.

Agreed, getting past prejudices was the point I was trying to make as well


http://towerofthesun.com/sig/oz/sig.jpg (http://towerofthesun.com/sig/oz/sig.php?action=sign)

Prejudices are inevitable and unavoidable. The problem is that some people can't get past them to see what the individual person is about.


Sure.

The problem is there's a big difference between some of these being about what people DO, and others being about what people ARE. Being prejudiced against, say, people who are from the south or people who are black or poorly educated or whatever is different from being prejudiced against people who are snobs or people who wear a certain hairstyle or whatever.

I've also witnessed a mother of 3 abuse the system, but I'm not sure if it was actual abusing. She orphaned her second child and actually made money by doing it. Strange. The mom was not working even though she was a licensed hairdresser. She quit her career because she didn't like it very much and she also quit her waitressing jobs because she couldn't maintain a schedule. Her schedule would require working whenever she felt like it. bleh This woman gets housing assistance and has an access card. She gets cash out of her card. Perhaps, she was depressed and couldn't pull herself together.

I know another mother who actually needed assistance but never received anything except medicare for her kid. She is a full time student and is pretty independent. They live in great housing in middle class neighborhoods and drives a reliable car. She pays for it all with student loans and her job. I don't know the specifics but she couldn't receive assistance because she had a job?!? I think the only assistance around anymore is the Access card. Applicants for housing assistance has been halted for a couple of years.

My mother was on food stamps for a year in 1978 when she first immigrated here. My family never received assistance after that because my parents always said it isn't necessary unless your seriously handicapped. That sounds so old school to me. hah
I think there are times when it gets tough and having the assistance helps keep social order among other things.

The abuse can raise my blood pressure and I have some prejudices with that, but I usually don't think too much about it.
What stirs up my prejudice much more is when people are ill-tempered to others over little things. Why get so angry?? gheesh

Come to think of it, I hardly notice what other people buy and how they pay for it so the access thing usually doesn't come to mind.

So i guess my prejudice is people who abuse things. I assume that would be all of us.
I can just see how hypocritical I can be after thinking about this topic.
I'm beginning to overthink this topic on prejudice so I'll just stop here.

I'm prejudiced against people that live a doublestandard. Act one way on Sunday and another at work. I'm also prejudiced against people that won't stand up for their faith and beliefs.

I'm prejudiced against people that live a doublestandard. Act one way on Sunday and another at work. I'm also prejudiced against people that won't stand up for their faith and beliefs.
I wholeheartedly agree with your statements. So true....

I don't know those people.

- God

(moving away from "God", hearing thunder rumble nearby)

(moving away from "God", hearing thunder rumble nearby)
LOL! It must be a slow day in heaven.

However, people who know them ( the freeloaders) know they are abusing the system. I on the otherhand have known of and witnessed people who abuse the system more often than people who actually need it. But I wonder how many people are really trying to pull their lives together. Some people get assistance b/c of the children they have, but yet they never seem to have their children. Their children are at a grandparents or someone elses house 95 % of the time yet these people still draw the welfare money and access funds to feed their children. The DHS should have their social workers or hire employees in a position where they can monitor the people who use the state services. I don't mean spy on them, but I honestly believe there are far more people who use the system for everything they can for their benefit when in fact they can make it without it. Its a part of not being lazy. Get up in the morning and go to work 5 days a week like normal people. The program to help these people get on their own feet without assistance needs to shape up. I don't know exactly how since I'm not sure how it works in the first place, but I know it needs improvement. I can tell that by the people who abuse the system for years and continue to get away with it. Just my opinion though!

I used to be the loudest supporter of welfare reform. Nothing bugged me more than freeloaders in a free market system. Unfortunatly, this was based on my "common sense" and personal experience rather than any empirical basis. Once I started studying the issue, my opinion proved to be quite wrong.

I wonder why the vast majority of social workers and sociologists are labeled "bleeding heart liberals"? Is it because they do have the front line experience to frame their opinion rather than limited experience?

I absolutely understand why people would be upset at the idea of freeloading but outside of "personal experiences", do those people have even the remotest idea of how prevelant the problem is? I seriously doubt it. I am confident, most do not. Unfortunatly, voters will use their limited experiences to define "reality" for the larger group and support those who desire to "starve the beast" no matter how many who are truly in need suffer through the cuts.


In 1991 less than 5 percent of all welfare benefits went to persons who were not entitled to them, and this figure includes errors committed by the welfare agency. - 1994 Green Book, U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In March 1987, the General Accounting Office released a report that summarized more than one hundred studies of welfare since 1975. It found that "research does not support the view" that welfare significantly reduces the incentive to work.- "The Historical Sources of the Contemporary Relief Debate," The Mean Season: The Attack on the Welfare State, Fred Block, Richard Cloward, Barbara Ehrenriech and France Piven, eds., (New York: Pantheon, 1987), pp. 58-62

My sister is a social worker in NC and she has told me many times of the sad stories she sees and how difficult it can be to do the work she does. She's also told me stories of how people abuse the system. She feels helpless to weed out the abusers because of the bureaucratic red tape she has to hack through to get things changed. I don't envy her at all.

I'm prejudiced against people that live a doublestandard. Act one way on Sunday and another at work. I'm also prejudiced against people that won't stand up for their faith and beliefs.

Then I will stand up and say it is my faith and belief that most of the positions that you post on this site Rev are evil.

Statements like you make about homosexuals or that you would kill a boy for sleeping with your daughter are wrong and evil, and wrapping that kind of talk up in the bible is worse.