An interesting article on the real costs of extending unemployment benefits

I don't think we should give the unemployed incentive to find work. I think we should give the unemployed a disincentive to be unemployed. Once someone signs up for unemployment, the government direct deposits the funds into your account. Instead, issue a check, that has to be picked up every Tuesday at the local unemployment office. When picking up the check, the unemployed must present paperwork showing they applied for five jobs in the last week, all signed by an employer. On the check, in big writing at the top, say "This Check Is For The Unemployed. It Is Paid For By U.S. Citizens Who Have Jobs" People living off unemployment for longer than two months should be listed online, like sex offenders. That way you know the people in your neighborhood who are living off your money. Finally, taxes for the person who lived an unemployment will be increased until all the money they used is paid back.

 

No doubt! We are so lucky this country was able to scrape by for the last 230 years without a huge, overbearing government. Yep, those in the "real world" ignore the fact that as the government has grown, along with the amount of "social services" and "safety nets", our debt and deficits are going to cripple this country.

 

I've been receiving unemployment since February. I actively look for jobs every week. I worked in High Tech. All my experience is in the industry. That industry is not easy to get back in to right now. I survived 20+ rounds of layoffs during my 14 year career in the industry. That's a shit ton of people looking for jobs in my industry, with a lot of my same skills, and, unfortunately for me, most are more educated than myself. At least, they can prove as much. Haha.

I hate taking benefits. Hate it. I've applied for around 150 jobs I'd guess. Maybe a little less. I've had a handful of interviews. I can count them on one hand.

I guess my point being, I can see how someone could EASILY take advantage of this system. It would take no effort at all. You can lie about searching for a job and no one would know the difference. Once you receive an extension of benefits (probably the 3rd extension "High Extended Benefits") during your weekly claim you have to list three jobs you applied for instead of just answering the question "did you actively look for work this week?" I would imagine you could fib your way through this as well (haven't gotten that far yet).

I'm not taking advantage of the system, but I'd be hard pressed to believe that I'm in the majority. But I could be wrong.

Anyone hiring?

 

If/When you find a job are you okay with paying 10% more taxes until you have repaid the money you have lived off of for the last 6 months?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but while working since 1994 wasn't I paying for these "benefits" through the taxes I was paying? I'm not sure exactly how that works, but in principle alone, yes, I would be willing to pay 10% until it's all repaid.

 

You're not wrong. You certainly have paid for many other people's unemployment as well. I'm just throwing ideas out there on how to limit the length a person spends on unemployment. If it was understood, that you had to pay back a portion of the funds received while on unemployment, it may deter people from staying on it for 99 weeks.

None of this specifically addresses towards you.

 

Totally understood. I actually think that's a pretty good idea, FWIW. I believe in paying my dues, and I believe in taxes. Unfortunately, I don't trust how my government uses the taxes! Love the concept, hate the execution.