Kudos, logan.

The Federal Government actually has little to nothing to do with the cycles of the economy. They can make it easier for companies, and improve employment, or they can make it difficult for companies to grow and restrict it. (Normally as an unintended consequence, like EPA Regs that go too far). Your local Government has Far more to do with the local economy than the federal Govt. For a prime example, look at what happened to Mass in the late '70s to the mid to late '80s. I won't get into detail, but it was a cycle of excessive taxation in a weak economy combined with huge growth in government spending. End result? many manufacturers closed up shop. It wasn't until the tech boom started that Mass started to recover, after the state finally realized they had to cut taxes and make the business climate a little more frendly.

The point is that the great big brother in Washington can't really do much to help you, but can do a great deal of harm through excessive taxation and regulation. Self reliance goes far when dealing with the potholes in the road, and asking the federal government to do something about your personal situation is a bit unrealistic.