For the Curious,

just what is life like for the newly unemployed?

It's no picnic, let me tell you.

WHY TAX THE UNEMPLOYED?

I've been out of work for six months. My unemployment benefits, now reaching the final days of their last twelve-week extension, barely cover my basic monthly living expenses. While I am most grateful to receive them, I don't understand why the government taxes unemployment benefits. I'm facing a tax bill against benefits received in 2008 and I have no idea how I'm going to pay it. Worrying about this--on top of worrying about what I'll do if I become sick (since I have no health insurance), on top of searching for a job everyday--is almost too much. Thank you for providing a forum for the people most in need of economic help to have their voices heard.

Blame the GOP for that. It used to be UI wasn't taxed; I believe the move to tax benefits was during the Reagan years, because there is this mentality among too many in the GOP that people who are on UI are a bunch of bums. Never mind it is an insurance program for people who find themselves out of a job, whether through layoff or termination.

Obama's stimulus plan might be too slow.

The situation is truly dire.