[rxsid]

"If I were him, I would float the rumor that I intended to turn the layoffs into permanent RIFs so the government employees could draw unemployment."

Actually, that would be brilliant in several ways.

1. He gets to say they will get a "check."
2. The check won't cost as much to the taxpayer.
3. Those jobs can be phased out.
4. The unemployment is generally for 12 months (only).

[Blood of Tyrants]

5. It lights a fire under the Rats because the last thing they want is to reduce the number of union workers paying dues to Rat re-election campaigns.