Discussion (7)¬

1. ChayaFradle says:

   January 11, 2012 at 7:35 am

   When I was younger, I felt like that. Now that I'm older, I looked forward to my Medicare and REJOICED greatly when I reached 65! My health premiums were nearly $1,000 a month!!! And that was with an HMO. Whew. I FINALLY turned 65! What a relief. I don' have to borrow money any more just to stay alive!

2. gwenny says:

   January 11, 2012 at 12:54 am

   It is silly to be squeamish about applying for UI benefits.

   • sugarkat says:

     March 17, 2012 at 1:41 pm

     Considering how the staff at Dept. of Labor treats applicants, it's not at all silly. I knew doctorates and professionals who'd worked six-figure-salary jobs before they were let go by their employers who were treated like human waste by DOL staff simply because they had the temerity to be unemployed during the recession. People who works hard and were told they were worth nothing by the very people who were supposed to be helping them find work. Collecting unemployment, at least in NYS, is absolutely awful.

3. George says:

   January 10, 2012 at 2:47 pm

   I like this strip a lot, Darrin. Unlike some people, it's hard for me to accept a lot of outside assistance, even when I know that it's my right and privilege to do so. I have to remember that these accommodations are set in place for my benefit as well as others.

4. John says:

   January 10, 2012 at 11:37 am

   I had almost exactly this conversation with a friend who got laid off about the same time I did (post-9/11, post-internet bubble), except I was the one telling her that. But everyone's right, just because it's money you (effectively) paid into, doesn't make it any less uncomfortable when you apply for it.

5. Rob L. says:

   January 10, 2012 at 9:11 am

   He actually didn't pay into it every month while he was working — employers pay for this, not employees: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_insuran…

   Of course, the employees sort of pay for it because they'd get higher salaries and more bonuses and benefits if employers weren't on the hook for the unemployment insurance.

   (I can't believe I typed that without laughing out loud.)

6. ChayaFradle says:

   January 10, 2012 at 4:01 am

   How does Lemont know this is EXACTLY how it feels? He is just a cartoon character!