# "Why Work When Unemployment Pays Me?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 18, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834 "2008-03-18T21:18:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/1 "2008-03-18T21:18:25Z")
Such is the thesis of [this piece](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=34682) in the Washington DC City Paper (of tangential interest: this is the local outlet for “The Straight Dope” print column). > [@](#): > > Given a choice between getting a check every week for doing nothing and getting a check every week for flushing 40 hours of the prime of their lives down the toilet, they chose the latter. I mean, what kind of self-hating, masochistic Protestant bullshit is that? > > Not only do I feel no guilt whatsoever about sucking from the state’s teat, I feel that I’m absolutely entitled to it. So far as I can tell, the author is absolutely sincere. I contend this attitude is despicable. Is there any defense of it? ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/2 "2008-03-18T21:29:16Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I contend this attitude is despicable. Is there any defense of it? [/QUOTE] It’s the same attitude that is at the heart of anyone who takes government programs – “someone else should be forced to pay to support me.” ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/3 "2008-03-18T21:34:46Z")
Well for one, you don’t get your full salary- isn’t closer to 50%? And its only for 26 weeks, plus extensions, not forever. But to be honest, I’ve been working since age 15 without a break and if laid off tomorrow would probably welcome a 26 week sabattical 🙂 And if I could live indefinitley on 50% of my salary and kept getting extensions, I can’t say for sure I wouldn’t keep doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/4 "2008-03-18T21:36:38Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I contend this attitude is despicable. Is there any defense of it? [/QUOTE] No. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/5 "2008-03-18T21:36:49Z")
Interestingly enough, the subtitle of the article is “A Defense of Creative Loafing” - isn’t that the name of the new owners of the Chicago Reader and therefore the SDMB? Funny. I do think the attitude is despicable, but on the other hand, if someone is willing and able to live on such a shoestring budget as unemployment payments provide, it’s probably cheap enough to support. The fact is that most working-age people cannot support their chosen lifestyle on that little money, and that’s enough incentive for people to look for productive work. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/6 "2008-03-18T21:50:43Z")
[QUOTE=Renob] It’s the same attitude that is at the heart of anyone who takes government programs – “someone else should be forced to pay to support me.” [/QUOTE] I won’t say what I really think of your comment, as this isn’t the appropriate forum. I will, however, say that I hope your comment is addressing those on government programs who have the attitude as presented in the OP. There are others, like myself, who found their grades slipping in college, applied for government support, and got a little extra help with rent that I have more than repaid now that I’m a contributing member of society. Had I not gotten that support, it’s very likely I might still be in college, struggling, and not contributing as fully to the economy. So, not all those who utilize government support for the tool they can be thinks somebody else should be forced to pay to support them. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/7 "2008-03-18T22:17:13Z")
“The author is absolutely sincere?!?” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/8 "2008-03-18T22:27:58Z")
Maybe if the person was royally screwed over by the state (forced reenlistment, a dirty eminent domain case or such) and does this primarily for retribution rather than sustenance, I could give it a pass. This guy proudly mentions his shoplifting farther down in the article. No moral behemoths to be found here. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/9 "2008-03-18T22:40:46Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Such is the thesis of [this piece](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=34682) in the Washington DC City Paper (of tangential interest: this is the local outlet for “The Straight Dope” print column). So far as I can tell, the author is absolutely sincere. I contend this attitude is despicable. Is there any defense of it? [/QUOTE] I think that a person who can not find a way to produce income which is rewarding both to them and to their clients is in an unfortunate and sad position. And I think the economy is designed such that a great number of people will be in such a situation. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/10 "2008-03-18T23:02:53Z")
And the ratio of people on unemployment who want to work vs those who are lazy is what? 5 - 1. 10 - 1. 15 - 1? What’s the subtext here? Might it be a defense of the Republican’s opposition to extending benefits, because of course those who run out are lazy bums like the author of the piece, not unemployed because of the Bush economy? Or perhaps Mr. Bricker is advocating a WPA to put these guys to work or else? Now that might be a good solution. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/11 "2008-03-18T23:05:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Or perhaps Mr. Bricker is advocating a WPA to put these guys to work or else? Now that might be a good solution. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/12 "2008-03-18T23:11:56Z")
This guy’s a modern Thoreau. 😃 But seriously … whatever justification is given for it, at base it is simply dishonourable and fraudulent to exist in the manner described in this article, the more so as it casts doubt on the very programs required by those actually in need. But above and beyond that, I can’t imagine anyone not a child being truly happy while dependent on others. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/13 "2008-03-18T23:19:11Z")
A lot of folks who are at least nominally not children are perfectly happy being dependent on others…so it’s no big surprise to me. I actually know some people who hold to the philosophy of ‘Why work when unemployment pays me?’…some of which are in my own (extended) family in fact. -XT ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/14 "2008-03-18T23:19:15Z")
[QUOTE=Malthus] But above and beyond that, I can’t imagine anyone not a child being truly happy while dependent on others. [/QUOTE] I can - unless you’re going to invoke a No Truly Happy Scotsman on me. I once spent a few months in my parent’s spare room as I was waiting for my preferred reserved apartment rooms to come available so I could move into them. During that time I was as content as I ever am. I pay into unemployment; I wouldn’t feel too guilty using it for a while if the need arose. Of course, I’d be scrounging around for a job during that time, and _that’s_ never fun. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/15 "2008-03-18T23:43:56Z")
[QUOTE=begbert2] I can - unless you’re going to invoke a No Truly Happy Scotsman on me. I once spent a few months in my parent’s spare room as I was waiting for my preferred reserved apartment rooms to come available so I could move into them. During that time I was as content as I ever am. I pay into unemployment; I wouldn’t feel too guilty using it for a while if the need arose. Of course, I’d be scrounging around for a job during that time, and _that’s_ never fun. [/QUOTE] Well colour me wrong then. For me, I could not wait to get out from under dependency and make my own way. It was the most liberating feeling, that I no longer had anyone to whom I was beholden. I myself would not wish to trade that liberty for suckling at the teat no matter how convenient or easy and would only do so in the direst of need. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/16 "2008-03-18T23:57:18Z")
[QUOTE=Malthus] Well colour me wrong then. For me, I could not wait to get out from under dependency and make my own way. It was the most liberating feeling, that I no longer had anyone to whom I was beholden. I myself would not wish to trade that liberty for suckling at the teat no matter how convenient or easy and would only do so in the direst of need. [/QUOTE] But it was such a _warm_ and _squishy_ teat; how could I resist? (It must be rough, not being able to accept anything from _anybody_. ‘No! I won’t come for thanksgiving dinner unless I can bring my _own_ turkey! And none of you peeps better get it into your head to _pass_ me anything either, so help me - I’ll fetch it myself!’ 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/17 "2008-03-19T00:12:48Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] “The author is absolutely sincere?!?” :dubious: [/QUOTE] So far as I can tell… and I’ve read the piece three times now, looking for a hint of parody or hyperbole… the author is sincere. If you think not, I’d be interested to know on what you’re relying. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/18 "2008-03-19T00:14:49Z")
[QUOTE=Voyager] And the ratio of people on unemployment who want to work vs those who are lazy is what? 5 - 1. 10 - 1. 15 - 1? What’s the subtext here? Might it be a defense of the Republican’s opposition to extending benefits, because of course those who run out are lazy bums like the author of the piece, not unemployed because of the Bush economy? [/QUOTE] “The wicked flee when no man pursueth.” No subtext – why do you immediately jump to the conclusion that there must be? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/19 "2008-03-19T00:24:43Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Such is the thesis of [this piece](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=34682) in the Washington DC City Paper (of tangential interest: this is the local outlet for “The Straight Dope” print column). So far as I can tell, the author is absolutely sincere. I contend this attitude is despicable. Is there any defense of it? [/QUOTE] First of all, when you’re collecting unemployment (as I recently have had reason to discover) you are NOT supposed to be sitting on your butt simply collecting. You do have to “certify” you are looking for a job, keep records, and you can be called to account for your job hunting activities at any time. Discovery of falsification and/or failure to hunt for work while collecting I am continually cautioned can be met with “severe penalties” including “jail time”. That said, I’ve been busting my ass looking for a job for months now with no luck (a few part-time temp gigs, but that’s it). Look, guys, the “vacation” has been nice (except for the daily job hunting part) but _I AM REALLY, REALLY READY TO GO BACK TO WORK, SERIOUSLY_. I was ready to do that MONTHS ago. Anyhow, while no doubt some people scam the system, I assume the vast majority, like me, really would prefer a real paycheck from a real job thankyouverymuch. Unemployment doesn’t last forever, and it’s not much to live on. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834/20 "2008-03-19T00:28:32Z")
[QUOTE=Renob] It’s the same attitude that is at the heart of anyone who takes government programs – “someone else should be forced to pay to support me.” [/QUOTE] Have you ever talked to anyone on those programs? I can’t speak for everyone of course, but I’d far, far rather have a job than my VA pension, thank you very much. Of course, with a history of mental breakdowns, no one is hiring. After ten years, I’ve given up. It’s less devastating to have the gov’t agree that I’m enemployable, than to keep proving it week after week after week. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834.md?page=2)