If you are laid off, your best hope is that the economy is in good shape which will automatically mean that there will be more job openings available for you to move on to. It also means that there will be a healthy number of recruiters and recruiting companies ready to "help" you.
In a weak economy the openings are drastically reduced and there are many more people around seeking the fewer opportunities that are available. The recruiters also don't fare well in this kind of environment and so there are fewer of them around as well.
So while people can scoff at the economy as an issue, it is a huge issue, especially when you don't have a job! It goes without saying that hand-outs from the government will never come close to what you can make by being gainfully employed on a job.
It's therefore important to look at the factors that "enable" a healthy economy, which is an environment of low taxation, sensible low regulation, and a general focus on developing new business as well as "expanding" existing businesses.
Success is an attitude and a frame of mind, it is not a right.