This post is actually really interesting.
I've always thought that unemployment benefit should be for people who really can't get a job. Note I did say should be - in know lots of people play the system. (And I do mean can't get a job - any able bodied man, for example, who tells me he can not get employment - get your arse down here now and I'll have you working by tomorrow.)
But in some ways it is not unreasonable to say - well, I've paid x amount (not x-amount on here - hi Dan!) in tax and its far more than the benefit i've recieved, So.......I'm owed anyway.
On the other hand, I think if we all had that attitude - I'll claim back some of what I've paid in not because I really need to, but because I can, then people who genuinely need the money - the sick or elderly - won't have enough to go around.
Actually, now I think about it I'm getting bitter! I pay way too much tax! I pay tax on my earnings and invest the surplus in property. I pay tax on the rental income I recieve and if I decide to sell said property then I'll play capital gains tax on that profit too! Or I can hang on to the fruit of my labours and having been taxed on the wages that bought it, those I leave it to will be taxed on it too! Inheritance tax is way unfair!