I think you're comparing apples to oranges, skymutt.  The difference between so-called "tax credits" and unemployment compensation is that with the latter, there's a contribution from both the employer and employee, whereas with the former, the government is simply writing a check to people who didn't earn it, which in my opinion essentially makes it a welfare program.

Although the idea may be well-intentioned (and we all know that old saying about good intentions), I think most economists agree that giving money to people who didn't produce anything does not make sound economic sense.

Regards,
Scott Perry