[clamper1797]

First time in my life I've ever "taken" from the government

You are NOT taking from the government when you are drawing unemployment ... you are collecting on an insurance policy that you and your previous employer have been paying into while you were working. It's not more "taking from the government" than using your health insurance ....which you and your previous employer paid into as well

[TBall]

The thing that stinks is now healthy companies are facing increasing costs for "unemployment insurance." Increasing the taxes for companies that are able to stay in business is not the solution to the tax revenue shortfall. During the clinton loan years, government budgets were made using continued bubble economy forecasts. Spending needs to be cut.