You're a foreigner who pays German taxes

Share whatever you wish around this topic, but I also have (2) questions specificlally, that I hope someone can explain to me. And to put it in context, I don't live in Germany nor have I ever been there, but if I did...

Is it true that you can't collect unemployment if you lose your job, even though one has been a long time tax-paying resident?

And why would a German consulate not be able to assist you, if needed, even though you reside in Germany and yes pay their government taxes?

I don't have the authoratative answers to your questions, but I pay taxes because:

a ) I don't have a choice - they are automatically taken from my paycheck
b ) It's the law

In terms of unemployment benefits, my understanding is that you do get them if you were working and paying into the system. Every month the gov. takes a certain portion of my paycheck for that purpose, so if I am not eligible I will be really upset.

I don't know the answers to your questions, but are these issues in any way specific to Germany? Wouldn't similar questions apply just the same to foreigners residing in the US, Britain, etc.?

By the way, unemployment benefits are technically not paid from taxes, but from the unemployment insurance scheme. Though the government does subsidize the scheme, and that subsidy is financed by taxes. (Your question remains valid, because foreigners employed in Germany contribute to this scheme.)

Did some quick research, and it appears that foreigners are indeed eligible for unemployment benefits if the contributed to the scheme. These benefits are paid for up to a year. If you still remain unemployed afterwards, and require further government assistance, then the authorities can decide to withdraw your residency permit (unless it is unlimited). But that is no longer connected to the unemployment insurance scheme, because the scheme only provides you with benefits for up to a year anyway.

You have to have contributed to the system for two years before you can claim unemployment benefits. As for the consulate, you wouldn't go to the German one if your own country is represented here which is true for most nationalities here.

Who tarmacs the roads?
Who builds the U-bahn?
Who provides Kindergarten?

The various sections of government, with your taxes.
I happen to beleive in "no taxation without representation" but that's another story.

ALL EU diplomatic missions are now obliged to act for ANY EU Citizen which is why much to the disdain of Eurosceptics they are all supposed to fly an EU flag as well as the "Butchers Apron" or other national flags.