Democrats want jobless benefits in `cliff' deal

[forthemiddle]

7. IS it truly that the jobs are not being filled?

You state "so there are a lot of jobs not filled", or is it just the pool of available workers is so big that the employer can be that much more picky?
If, as an employer, you are looking to hire someone, you now have a choice between someone that is already employed, or someone that has been unemployed for more than a year. You may have a choice between someone with a criminal background, even if it is just a misdemeanor, and someone without, etc.....
I am not saying they are GOOD reasons not to hire someone (I would personally like to help that person get off unemployment), but it might be reality.