ohenry
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Bottom line is that every JPG image is a lossy conversion, whether it's done in the camera or in post processing. When you shoot JPG images, the camera essentially takes the raw data captured and automatically converts it to JPG, tossing aside data and compressing the image to whatever setting you chose. When you shoot RAW, the camera skips the step of conversion and you take the raw data into a program where you decide how to process it. If you convert it to JPG upon completion, you will have some degree of compression, again depending on the settings you choose.
Now, whether or not it will print better depends on what size you're going to print. With more pixels available, you can print larger prints at greater resolution and without having to resort to resampling (making up pixels to account for size). If you're printing 8X10 or smaller, you likely won't see any differences at all.
I basically agree with what Russ says...RAW gives you more potential in many ways beyond the obvious. RAW has greater color depth, more pixels to work with, greater dynamic range, the ability to easily alter the mood of the light by controlling white balance afterwards, and more options in processing. One thing that I have enjoyed about shooting RAW over the last 4 years is that as my skill levels in the digital darkroom have increased or my software improved, I've been able to reprocess older files from their original state.
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