This is the story of many Americans as of December 10 2008, We got up early morning on a weekday, got ready to work, leave the house and arrive at your work place. At the moment everything seemed to be working well, you had your morning coffee, and check your e-mails, you started working as any other day. But something does not feel right, you can't pin point it yet, but something bothers you. Just then you get called by your boss along with all your co-workers, everyone is expecting something to happen (good or bad) but something is about to go down. The big man says a couple of devastating words and now everyone is on the chopping block. You look to your left and to your right, and you start thinking, I work hard, I come in early and I leave late, I have done more than what I'm asked to do, I should be fine, there are others that don't like the company, or that don't even plan to be there for a longer time, or maybe there are others that should not be there for the kind of work they pretend to do. But it is all a raffle, your life is at the mercy of your boss, and the decision has been predetermined already. All you got was a letter thanking you for all your services and a pad on the back.What happened? I should have said something, maybe ask for a pay cut! or work part time,maybe even give me a two week notice! but nothing came to my mind at the moment.So now what? In the moment, major companies are laying of left and right, people have not been able to find more jobs in their respective field because there is little work to give, and if you find one, what guarantees you that you can have the security of not going through the "layoff" process again? The truth is, no one can guarantee it.I've seen many people file for unemployment, and reducing all of their cost, up to and including mixing the baby formula with water so the formula will last longer. You worked for a company for 2 -8 years, you were receiving a significant pay, and now you are competing for a minimum wage against thousands of people.This is my question for those who have been through this before, or are going through this at the moment, what can someone do to maintain a family? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? When can things go back to normal? If you share my feelings? or if you ahve any comments to add please take a moment to share your opininon