Comments on: Your Take: Does Unemployment Insurance Reward Laziness?

By: jack

jack — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:32:32 +0000

NOT true at all…here IN NJ, EMPLOYEES pay for Unemployment. same is true in Pensylvania, and Alaska. what u Said is only true in the other 47 states.

By: Leslie Fox

Leslie Fox — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:50:27 +0000

Unemployment Insurance: the reason that wages have been literally (not hypothetically) FLAT since the 1970s tells the whole story. Remember, corporations ALWAYS pass along the costs to the “consumer”, in in the following case, to the “employee”.

Since Reagan the worker has been paying tax oon unemployment benefits, has been “paying” for the so-called employer unemployment fund, and has also been paying for his or her own health insurance. The corps even admit that when they have to pay for health insurance, they take it out of wage hikes. I don’t know about you, but I am earning the exact SAME amount that I earned in the early 90s. At that isn’t incompetence on my part because I’ve been promoted. But the last four places I worked there were not or little increases–and when there were, it was to pay for inflation (which we know is not calculated properly because they don’t even include housing–in fact they only include FOOD).

If you are doing well, then thank yourself or your higher power who is successfully taking care of you.

By: Marc

Marc — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 01:15:55 +0000

This writer mistakenly claims that he paid into Unemployment Insurance (FUTA). This is 100% paid by employers. Employees pay nothing into FUTA. Jim Wang, the next time you get a pay check, actually look at your deductions. You will not find a deduction for FUTA. NOTE: FICA is Social Security, not Unemployment Insurance.

By: ash

ash — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:36:41 +0000

The entire system is jacked!!! I am currently 25, have been working FULL TIME since I was 15 n a half, the only time I havn’t worked is between jobs and have been able to maintain at least a 2 year work history with each place. I have worked anywhere from 6-7 days a week up to 10-12 hours steady those days in a row. I’m pregnant and had to move out of my location to be with family during my pregnancy and I got fired from a job about a policy that I wasn’t really aware of and was only mentioned like once in the handbook which took me 2 weeks to find. But I have still been able to work, and WANT to..but with the area my family lives in, there just not too many job opportunities (small town). I have been trying for 3 months now to just get even one freakin check, and still, nothing. Like I’ve said I WANT to work, and as soon as I get to where I can move back to my previous location, I have a job it’s already been agreed. It just makes me angry that I KNOW for these past 7 years they have been taking money out of my check for crap like this..and I can’t even access it when I NEED it. But I bet if I would have had 3 or 4 kids right now and just didn’t care about having a better life or a good decent job to make something out of myself I would have gotten it immediately AND been able to draw it for months at at time. But no, I DONT wanna do that. I dont wanna be some American trash who actually WANTS to live off of government money…becuase otehr than keeping you from going in the hole with a few bills..waht else is it good for? But that’s exactly why I need it, because I’m about to be in the hole with some bills…and there’s nothing I can do about it for at least 3 more months!! SO GRRRRRR @ THE SYSTEM…AND ALLA THE PPL WHO TAKE OUR RIGHTS AWAY B/C THEY DONT WANNA GET A FREAKING JOB AND WANNA CRY AND MOAN B/C OF THIS REASON AND THAT!! If you wanna blame it cuz you’ve got 3 or 4 kids and it’s just hard to have a job with that…don’t tel me ur b/s because I know 2 ppl that have 4plus kids..and still manage just fine!

By: Leslie Fox

Leslie Fox — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:11:10 +0000

If the author would be so disinclined to seek work, and would rather live on unemployment, then it strikes me he is projecting his own laziness onto those of us who are desparately trying to find work in this time when there are six people for every job.

Incentives??? What about the incentives for bankers and financiers to steal from our taxes to enrich their own coffers. How is that for incentive!!!????

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:36:48 +0000

not when there’s 26000 jobs for over 900000 people out of work

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:32:49 +0000

My Husband had a job in the copper mine in Globe,Az. Then it was more economical to close that copper mine and open one in a foreign country. There went 1200 jobs from one mine. He was making almost $20.00/ hour now we are unemployment Az is the cheapest state for payment of unemployment. If Banning calls my hard working husband lazy he can deal with me and 1200 other wives of miners with NO JOBS. iTS JUST LIKE OUR COUNTRY TO OUTSOURCE JOBS, THATS WHAT STARTED ALL THE TROUBLE. Lazy indeed I wonder how Banning spends his days ive seen the Senate in session with 60% empty seats. REMEMBER THE GOVERNMENT IS U AND I GET OUT AND VOTE AND GET RID OF LAZY POLITITONS.

By: Solari

Solari — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:02:27 +0000

Ok, one more time for those either unable to fathom this concept or else too stupid to see the truth..UEC is NOT a free handout, STUPID! It is money paid into a fund by our ex emoployers while we are working..it is money earned by us through our blood, sweat and tears…free money implies no taxes..taxes are taken out on unemployment dumb***es! However, when you p*ss and moan about people living on the employed you are talking about those on ss or about to be..you pay into ss not for yourself, but for those collecting ss now..your ss will come from future workers once you retire…also, can you live on $275 a week ie: buy groceries (I don’t buy beer, ciggs or drugs…do you?) pay elect., phone, cable (btw we don’t have cable, but I bet you do) ins. both car and home, also life (can’t afford life, but I do have the other two), rent, car payment…NO? me either..when I was working I worked 6 sometimes 7 days a week, 12 hour days and I made a hell of a lot more then $275 a week..yea I’m living on easy street..God, you people are a bunch of imbeciles! Drug test me all you want, but first drug test those on welfare..DUH!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:49:07 +0000

“Free money”? Are you people a bunch of morons???..uec is NOT free money…we pay taxes on it..it s NOT a Gov. handout..it is money paid into an account by our ex employers..it is money we earned with our blood, sweat and tears..wanna drug test me, be my guest..but don’t you think there are more drug addicts on welfare…duh! Can I afford to live on $275 a week, can you?? Lets see you buy groceries (btw I don’t buy beer or ciggs…do you, nor do I go to the beach!!), I buy gas, pay the elect., phone, rent, car payment, ins. both home owners and car on $275 a week..however, if you are living on ss or will soon then you are the moochers because THAT money is paid for by the ones working now..money you pay into ss is not for you…stupid, it goes to the ones who are retired now..I actually worked for the money I am getting actually I worked 6 sometimes 7 days a week, 12 hour days and made $15 an hour, so the $275 I make now is peanuts compared to my actual earnings, but the bottom line is I worked for the money I am drawing, however those on ss or will be soon is mooching off the employed now..so next time you p*ss and moan about people getting a “free ride” you’re not talking about those of us on unemployment, you are actually talking about those on ss or soon will be coz that’s on your dime..STUPID!

By: Leslie Fox

Leslie Fox — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:44:26 +0000

True, the requirements for job seeking activities are minimal. However, to believe that proving you are looking for work when most of us are applying every day to every job that might consider are skills a good fit. No one is going to hire a lawyer to be a cashier for God’s sake!!! or a farmworker!!

By: Leslie Fox

Leslie Fox — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:41:37 +0000

As someone who has been unemployment benefits for a long time, of course I’m going to defend my right to collect. The question is not only whether or not it discourages job “action” but whether there are enough jobs out there, at all, to accommodate all the seekers. I know in my field that there are 5-6 qualified candidates for each job I apply to. I have spent every day since being laid off seeking a professional job for which I’m qualified. I couldn’t get a job as a waitress or a cashier, even if I wanted to.

Whereas the Bush tax cuts stimulates only $.37 on every dollar given back to the wealthy, uninsurance insurance produces $1.67 of spending. Just thought I’d add that.

But Republicans are not interested in reducing the deficit or increasing jobs etc. They are only interested in KEEPING THEIR JOBS in Congress, and the worse off we are, the better chance they have to take back Congress (not that they ever lost their control, i.e. the fillibuster!!!)

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:00:09 +0000

correction quiyick should be quick

he moment is actual the moment, sorry no spell check was available.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:58:32 +0000

People are quyick to down something they are not in need of at he moment. Unemployment is to help those that become unemployed, regardless of how the time and money is used because there is a limitation. It will eventually run out, therefore, those who really want to work will utilize this downtime wisely. If you have a job right now and you are not receiving unemployment. Be happy and thankful for the blessing, because being on unemployment is not fun, I rather be working. Some states unemployment offices such as Maryland is one of the worst to deal with, they treat the people that become unemployed like dirt. They show no compassion. They don’t care and the process is very slow. They take their time in helping you and the representatives that takes the calls to answer questions about your claim is rude and non-chalant.

By: Andrew Allan

Andrew Allan — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:08:53 +0000

When I was laid off a few years back, I admit I enjoyed the break, covered by unemployment insurance. I’m sure a lot of people that are unemployed today feel the same way. It’s like a poor-man’s sabbatical.

I understand the value of extending the time period for which benefits can be received to prevent families becoming destitute. But after you’ve finished your initial “what you’re paid is based on what you made” period, I think the compensation should change. After that, EVERYBODY should be paid the same, somewhere between the very bottom and the current top levels.

By: Leslie Fox

Leslie Fox — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:42:33 +0000

I have been the beneficiary ot eh unemployment extension benefits (99 months in September). That’s been very important to my survival, but unfortunately Congressional efforts” to increase jobs has not occured, and my field of fundraising is no exception. Also unfortunately, the employers are much less interested in you if you have been unemployed for one to two years. On top of that, I turn 65 in July and it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete. All the salaries have been reduced except for the very highest level of manager positions. If I have benefited from the same “largess” as the big banks for a while, my career is likely over. Yes, these benefits were paid for by me for my several years of relatively high salaries. After paying that and for years paying social security and medicare (again at a higher level for higher salaries)is not going to get me enough to live on since like many I hve no pension.

I’m youthful and emergetic and I’ve been applying for jobs in my field for two years and should have been hired by some non profit, unless they have younger “cheaper” candidates. Of ocurse my once fairly large 401k has been reduced by 35-40% and I have completely withdrawn from the equity markets and have invested in bonds and gold to preserve what I have to live on in the coming years. However, I will outlive my money, unless I purposely let myself become ill!!!!