That is true. But this time the unemployment rate is much worse. My friends in New York and New Jersey who have gotten laid off cannot find a job because the job market is so bad. Even the max check from unemployment cannot keep you above water. Its a different story when you get laid off when the job market is good because you won't have a hard time finding another job. I have been amazed at the shrinking of the Help Wanted Ads in the papers. How easy is it to fire a Senator or Congressman compared to a regular employee?