Because they can. The signal is out that growth is slowing so they chop people. The culture in the Western world especially in USA is that "layoffs" are necess

Because they can. The signal is out that growth is slowing so they chop people. The culture in the Western world especially in USA is that "layoffs" are necessary. USA is one of the only countries in the world with "At Will" employment. In most other countries these level of layoffs would sink a company easily. USA is a rather ruthless work environment where workers rights are basically non existent.