The coming state government layoffs

Oregon's government, like many other states in the union, is looking at huge budget deficits, and reminders of this painful reality of the financial hole are aplenty.  It slowly begins to filter down to everyday life, such as the one described in the NY Times:

Since the start of the recession, at least 25 states and the District of Columbia have curtailed programs that include meal deliveries, housekeeping aid and assistance for family caregivers, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a research organization. That threatens to reverse a long-term trend of enabling people to stay in their homes longer.

 My guess is that elected officials will have no choice but to either layoff government employees, or to force cuts in pay and benefits, or both.  And appointed officials will have no choice but to implement that decision.  As all these people do that, I hope they will exercise careful thought, and have empathy, as best demonstrated in this episode of Benson.