In the early '90s when I observed that the company for which I worked could survive even if we just maintained current contract volume I was given to understand that, if I persisted in such views, I might be looking for other employment. In fact, they did cut back when required by reduced work volume, but they always maintained the attitude that growth was necessary, even if it did not involve hiring more "core" high wage individuals. I suspect it will take at least a decade of high unemployment to dent this presumption.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."