Having been one of the unemployed for an extended period of time (but now - thankfuly - back to being gainfully employed), I myself had to rely deeply on my unemployment insurance.
And no...unemployment insurance does not in any way make up for the loss of one's income from a real job...but at least it helps one eat.
So....please...don't look down your nose(s) at those who...for whatever time it takes to get out of this depression and back to gainful employment...have to rely on unemployment insurance to subsist.
Remember: we remain in a depression. Your job...whatever it is...isn't safe either! You are not bullet-proof. I hope you're ready to live on your savings and the little extra unemployment insurance provides. Otherwise....well, you figure it out.
As to the old saw..."unemployment insurance encourages one to not go out and look for a job."....
First, this is usually put forward by those with jobs (at least to this point in time) who don't have to rely on unemployment insurance.
Second, the unemployment insurance check is not "welfare"; one had to have had a job in order for there to be any unemployment insurance to collect.
Third, it is far more damaging to hear "you're too old to be hired here" (OK...maybe that's not what you hear, but it is certainly true. But just try to prove it. "Age Discrimination" has got to be the silliest law on the books...other than the drinking age),or "we not hiring", or "you've got to be kidding!" or variations on these themes...than it is to have to collect unemployment insurance.
Now....with an ego-centric, socialist president without a clue as to how to help create meaningful, private sector, jobs....the hope of those without employment and no prospects for any, it is dim situation indeed.
No....unemployment does not really stimulate the present depression economy. But what it does do is assist those folks who, thru no fault of their own, were thrown out of work and need assistance to get by. Provide them a re-vitalized private sector in an upbeat, hiring mood...and you will see unemployment insurance tank.
Remember: you could (and may well) be next.
....just sayin'
Exactly and ditto! People like John D, unfortunately, don’t have a clue what it’s like out there, and it sounds like they really don’t care. But I suspect that he and others like him might get the chance to find out the hard way...and probably sooner than they think.
I’m just wondering how many of the folks here, like John D, who claim to be conservatives, also ‘claim’ to be Christians. They appear to be anything but charitable-minded Christians to me.