Apologies for the language. I didn't intend it to come off that way. I was using the term in a generic way to mean "getting rid of stuff _they_ don't want". I didn't intend to refer to the actual staff as lesser.
All good - I'm reacting to people who remain at a place after layoffs then scoff at the people let go, like it couldn't happen to them. Usually sounds like drinking too much of HR's Kool-aid.