David, I agree with you. We are wasting our time and energy by discussing something so trivial. We must stay focused.

Don't kid yourself. Unemployment compensation is welfare. I have no problem with helping a family until they can get back on their feet, but to classify it as anything but an entitlement program is putting lipstick on the pig.

The unemployment system is broken. My plant laid off about 1/3 of its workforce last November. The folks who were laid off collect more in unemployment compensation than the folks who are lucky enough to still have a 4 day per week job. Their "benefits" are based on the six quarters prior to the layoff, when we were all working overtime.

The rest of us are left scraping by on a 32 hour workweek, with a 10% across the board paycut and reduced medical benefits.

There is zero incentive for these laid off people to go out and find another job. Many are collecting their unemployment checks and working "under the table".

Who do you think will ultimately pay the cost?