I was on unemployment, for much longer than I felt safe with. I went into one extension, as I recall.

I found a job before UI expired for me. I took it. Because life on unemployment sucks. And anyone receiving unemployment worked before they received it, so they have something to compare life on unemployment with an employed life.

Most people would take employed, given the choice, and UI helps people make it to the next job. UI also gives people a chance to hold out for something closer to what they're qualified for, instead of "anyjob." Once you've taken anyjob (assuming they'll take you), it's extremely difficult to look for a better quality job.

UI is not just keeping people afloat, it's a buffer to encourage more people to be maximally employed rather than "merely" employed.

I could have taken a job as a sign waver. Instead, I waited, and I'm making a great contribution (IMO) to the medical devices industry. I'm helping to save lives, rather than drawing them in to a fast food joint and shortening their lives (and mine).

And you couldn't be more wrong about submitting this to Hacker News.

I'm glad to see an article with graphs and figures to back up opinion.