furloughs are a sign that someone doesn’t have an objective or mission other than supporting federal workers.
In the private sector when resources are finite, decisions are made to limit the impacts to areas not seen as central to these objectives and missions.
Actually, its more likely that the person does a useful job, but in an area that Obama doesn't want work to be done -- like defense.
Foodstamps and welfare, however, will continue ungarnished til hell freezes over.