[Red in Blue PA]

I am not arguing for that. But anyone who claims that most of the unemployed are playing the system have not a clue. I am currently looking and it ain’t easy out there. Not arguing for a handout, but rather that people simply acknowledge how bad it is.

[RFEngineer]

“Not arguing for a handout, but rather that people simply acknowledge how bad it is.”

I’ll gladly acknowledge how bad it is. You should also acknowledge that extended unemployment benefits do absolutely nothing to fix “how bad it is” and in fact allows people to delay actions on their part that would help them find work - effectively perpetuating “how bad it is”.

[seeker41]

I’ll acknowledge it, things ARE bad and unless you are in Texas it is difficult to find a job. I have had one job in 28 months. Wish I would have never left Texas in 2005! Now my resume is a mess and I am 55! Some folks just don’t understand how hard it really is...

[Pearls Before Swine]

But anyone who claims that most of the unemployed are playing the system have not a clue. I am currently looking and it ain’t easy out there. Not arguing for a handout, but rather that people simply acknowledge how bad it is.

Both arguments are true. The job market is terrible for anything skilled; but it's also true that for many people, the unemployment check is demotivating.

My rabidly liberal, worthless in so many ways BIL was over for Xmas. He's working now (reluctantly), but somehow squeezed what seemed like over a year of unemployment benefits. His equally liberal wife remarked to mine at some point, that although he was going thru the motions, he wasn't really looking all that hard because the unemployment had 3 or 4 months to go.

[Cementjungle]

I am not arguing for that. But anyone who claims that most of the unemployed are playing the system have not a clue. I am currently looking and it ain’t easy out there. Not arguing for a handout, but rather that people simply acknowledge how bad it is.

Part of the reason that it is so bad out there is the government's insistence on being the grand provider for everyone. Not just unemployment compensation, but welfare in its many forms, Obamacare, and other regulations (think EPA, FDA, etc.).

Government... big government to be specific... IS the problem. The only way to get past it is to start breaking the cycle of dependence. It's going to hurt some people in the process, but if we're to hope for any sort of future for this country, we need to start reversing the trend of dependence on government.

No one's going to starve... there's no shortage of generous people out there.... and things will eventually turn around, but we have to start somewhere to get on that path.