This is the time of year that the economy is stimulated, because of the heavy spending. A time businesses and government agencies like the post office have the chance to make up for the low profits through the earier quarters. If money isn't available to be spent, nothing is being recycled back into the economy.

"Three weeks before Christmas, the Republicans in Congress killed a yearlong extension of the payouts - and 2 million Americans are facing the prospect of starting 2011 with no money coming in." READ MORE http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/12/01/2010-12-01_unemployment_benefits_expire_for_thousands_of_new_yorkers_thanks_to_gop_sen_scot.html