No one stays on unemployment because it's lucrative. Seriously, if you're faced with taking a job that still won't pay the bills but will tie you up all day (preventing you from searching for better opportunities) or staying on unemployment and dedicated yourself to the search for suitable work, I say stay on unemployment. One can always take the lesser job when the unemployment runs out. And in this economy, there aren't even the lesser jobs out there. Unless you're an illegal willing to work under the table for next to nothing or an executive with an Ivy League education, you're pretty much SOL.[/quote]

A friend who owns a business just hired a couple employees, had tons of applications. The two qualified people he hired where working at a "lesser jobs" and not collecting unemployment. He told me other applicants had more experience, but he choose the two who willing to do whatever it takes to keep working.

No doubt we are in tough times. The fact the extension was passed to me is a clear indication Washington believes the unemployment condition is not changing any time soon.

I'm employed, not sure what I would do if I lost my job.