How Many People Are Not Even Looking For Work

[GMScud]

I have no issue with this. The article references hard working, family oriented folks who were responsible enough to accumulate savings to live off of, and are re-focusing on family and personal growth for a little while. Ask any of them, and I'm sure they'd say they would rather have solid employment right now. Nothing wrong with making the best out of a shitty situation.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I have no issue with this. The article references hard working, family oriented folks who were responsible enough to accumulate savings to live off of, and are re-focusing on family and personal growth for a little while. Ask any of them, and I'm sure they'd say they would rather have solid employment right now. Nothing wrong with making the best out of a shitty situation.

If they were just living off savings alone, that would be one thing. But they're collecting unemployment checks while they "reconnect with their hobbies." Get a fuggin job! If you want to stay home because you enjoy it, fine, but don't make me pay for it through my taxes. That's the kneejerk argument.

Now, the reality of this article is life sucks for these people who are laid off. They may smile, put on a happy face, and look on the bright side by telling you "hey, this is great, I get to stay home with my kids!" But even if they have plenty of savings, truth be told, they'd rather be working. And that's why they're looking for employment. This article paints an artificially sunny view of their situations.

It's just rather uncool to come out in an article and say "look at me, I'm having fun while I collect your tax dollars through the unemployment program!"

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

If they were just living off savings alone, that would be one thing. But they're collecting unemployment checks while they "reconnect with their hobbies." Get a fuggin job! If you want to stay home because you enjoy it, fine, but don't make me pay for it through my taxes. That's the kneejerk argument.

Now, the reality of this article is life sucks for these people who are laid off. They may smile, put on a happy face, and look on the bright side by telling you "hey, this is great, I get to stay home with my kids!" But even if they have plenty of savings, truth be told, they'd rather be working. And that's why they're looking for employment. This article paints an artificially sunny view of their situations.

It's just rather uncool to come out in an article and say "look at me, I'm having fun while I collect your tax dollars through the unemployment program!"

I get what you're saying. I guess my stance falls somewhere in between your opinion and the article.

These people didn't ask to get laid off. Our unemployment system was obviously put in place to help those who get laid off, but I don't think it should be abused. It's not like you can just keep collecting checks indefinitely. I have no issue with these people using a government program for it's intended purpose, but if they are intentionally putting off looking for work solely becuase they can ride the taxpayers' gravy train... well I have an issue with that.

Like we both said, they'd rather be working. But if they got laid off from a career they've had for years, and want to use a few weeks to take a deep breath and reset before diving back into a shitty job market... well, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I get what you're saying. I guess my stance falls somewhere in between your opinion and the article.

These people didn't ask to get laid off. Our unemployment system was obviously put in place to help those who get laid off, but I don't think it should be abused. It's not like you can just keep collecting checks indefinitely. I have no issue with these people using a government program for it's intended purpose, but if they are intentionally putting off looking for work solely becuase they can ride the taxpayers' gravy train... well I have an issue with that.

Like we both said, they'd rather be working. But if they got laid off from a career they've had for years, and want to use a few weeks to take a deep breath and reset before diving back into a shitty job market... well, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing.

I think you probably misread me. My opinion is an exact match to yours.

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

If they were just living off savings alone, that would be one thing. But they're collecting unemployment checks while they "reconnect with their hobbies." Get a fuggin job! If you want to stay home because you enjoy it, fine, but don't make me pay for it through my taxes. That's the kneejerk argument.

Now, the reality of this article is life sucks for these people who are laid off. They may smile, put on a happy face, and look on the bright side by telling you "hey, this is great, I get to stay home with my kids!" But even if they have plenty of savings, truth be told, they'd rather be working. And that's why they're looking for employment. This article paints an artificially sunny view of their situations.

It's just rather uncool to come out in an article and say "look at me, I'm having fun while I collect your tax dollars through the unemployment program!"

You know, unemployment is based on what you put into it, and in VA the maximum is 379/week. Not like anyone's getting rich, and the check that i get every week is based on MY ****ing taxes. I'm actively searching for work and working for myself even though every week I work i lose the money in unemployment benefits, so I've worked for free for 2 weeks, basically.

But I'll be the absolute first to admit I go to the gym longer than I ever have, I take my daughter to school every day, and I dont spend 40 hours a week looking for a job. I do put in about 10 resume's a week (8 more than the required 2, which i think is a joke) but there's really not a whole lot out there and the competition is stiff.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by EternalEnigma21

You know, unemployment is based on what you put into it, and in VA the maximum is 379/week. Not like anyone's getting rich, and the check that i get every week is based on MY ****ing taxes. I'm actively searching for work and working for myself even though every week I work i lose the money in unemployment benefits, so I've worked for free for 2 weeks, basically.

But I'll be the absolute first to admit I go to the gym longer than I ever have, I take my daughter to school every day, and I dont spend 40 hours a week looking for a job. I do put in about 10 resume's a week (8 more than the required 2, which i think is a joke) but there's really not a whole lot out there and the competition is stiff.

On a side note EE, I like how your Omega Contractor's website is burgundy and gold. Well done.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by EternalEnigma21

You know, unemployment is based on what you put into it, and in VA the maximum is 379/week. Not like anyone's getting rich, and the check that i get every week is based on MY ****ing taxes. I'm actively searching for work and working for myself even though every week I work i lose the money in unemployment benefits, so I've worked for free for 2 weeks, basically.

But I'll be the absolute first to admit I go to the gym longer than I ever have, I take my daughter to school every day, and I dont spend 40 hours a week looking for a job. I do put in about 10 resume's a week (8 more than the required 2, which i think is a joke) but there's really not a whole lot out there and the competition is stiff.

Sorry but you are wrong its based of your salery and the employer pays the federal and state unemployment tax.

Unemployment Insurance Taxes
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a federal-state program jointly financed through federal and state employer payroll taxes (federal/state UI tax). Generally, employers must pay both state and federal unemployment taxes if: (1) they pay wages to employees totaling $1,500, or more, in any quarter of a calendar year; or, (2) they had at least one employee during any day of a week during 20 weeks in a calendar year, regardless of whether or not the weeks were consecutive. However, some state laws differ from the federal law and employers should contact their state workforce agencies to learn the exact requirements. Click here for state links.

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Sorry but you are wrong its based of your salery and the employer pays the federal and state unemployment tax.

Unemployment Insurance Taxes
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a federal-state program jointly financed through federal and state employer payroll taxes (federal/state UI tax). Generally, employers must pay both state and federal unemployment taxes if: (1) they pay wages to employees totaling $1,500, or more, in any quarter of a calendar year; or, (2) they had at least one employee during any day of a week during 20 weeks in a calendar year, regardless of whether or not the weeks were consecutive. However, some state laws differ from the federal law and employers should contact their state workforce agencies to learn the exact requirements. Click here for state links.

yeah i know how it works, my point was that the amount you get is based off of your previous income (taxable wages) so that people that havent been working and paying taxes of their own cant just sit home and get at schneeds taxes dollars. Its also set up to deny people benefits who quit their jobs or turn down employment, or get fired for a reason that could be construed as their fault. I know for a fact that there are plenty of employers that will go out of their way to fire someone to avoid paying more for unemployment insurance. I pay out Unemployment Insurance for my business, so I am somewhat familiar with the process.