2 month work year proposed by the Liberals, NDP and BQ.

If they brought this through then EI load would double therefore requiring more staff and more offices which equals more overhead which does come from every Canadians tax dollars. This in turn makes for bigger government, not less. Many Canadians think that government is big enough and doesn't want any more government control into their lives.

It's important to take all Canadians views into account and not just our own. We must think about what is good for everyone as equals and not just try to label a group as special therefore requiring more benefit then another group.

Me not supporting some working for 45 working days in order to collect EI for a year doesn't make me heartless. It makes me responsible and I would wish everyone would take responsibility for themselves.

I think it's set at 20 weeks atm or somewhere there abouts which is 5 months worked. That is low enough in my books. If we start paying a years benefits after 2 months worked it will quickly bankrupt the EI funds and EI premiums would likely triple or quadruple. I don't wish to pay quadruple EI premiums so that someone can sit around for a year after only working for 2 months.

Would everyone who collects after 2 months worked be like this? Of coarse not the majority that collect EI are really trying to look for a new job, enlisting in job training programs, etc. At the same time there is a group of people collecting EI who are habitual collecters who will work the minimum then collect for a year and do nothing over that time. Then work again for the minimum...etc. I personally know of people who do this. A 2 month work yearmay lead to more people taking advantage of the system in this manner. This doesn't make Canada a stronger country.

I support many many things that Jack Layton says and does but I wouldn't want this to happen as we still need to be responsible and fair to everyone across this land. We cannot afford to give everything to the poorest and let everyone else pay for it. This isn't responsible.

That being said if Jack brought forward a proposal getting rid of the ridiculous 5 week waiting period before getting benefits every Canadian would support that, no doubt about it. A lot of people need help(people who have tried to help themselves first) so lets get the help out to them as quickly as possible. That would be an easy sell for Canadians.

As I said I support many things about Layton but he would have a very hard time selling a 2 month work year to normal everyday suburban middle class Canadians such as myself. I'm sorry if that offends the left wing but that's reality.

Absolutely we need to help the less fortunate but he 2 month work year just sets the EI fund up for abuse. Why take that chance?