Is the federal market recession proof? Consider the answers to these questions and judge for yourself.

• How many federal layoffs have you read about in The Washington Post?
• Is the federal government spending less?
• Is the threat of terrorism abating?
• Are we pulling troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan?
• Are marginal federal programs being shut down?

The truth is that in an economic downturn, most commercial companies cut back. However, the word cutback isn't used in the region around Washington's Beltway. Federal contractors have become the 4th branch of government and the government would grind to a halt without them. In essence, the federal market has become immune to economic downturns. The incoming administration will probably make a few flashy moves concerning cutbacks in contract spending and then it will be back to business as usual.

Join the 4th branch of government and lessen the impact of an economic slowdown. The grass is still green in Washington. The market is truly immune to a recession.