Theme:– Operation J.U.M.P. For Jobs, Justice & Unsung Dreams

It’s been all over the media that Jay Leno was moving on from the Tonight Show. He’s hosted the show for 22 years after Johnny Carson retired. Leno has kept the #1 ratings spot in the Latenight segment for much of that time. Now he’s saying goodbye to the big stage while others say hello to stage fright.

That’s because the news was a bit scary for the long-term jobless. First, the Bill to extend unemployment benefits failed again in the Senate. Then we received the monthly jobs reports which economists believe might indicate signs of a slowing economy. What must the long-term jobless do to get through?

Maybe there needs to be a ground swell of concern and dismay by those who pull the political and business purse strings. It shouldn’t have to take the kind of street protests like in Bosnia for folks in Congress to take action. The NY Times has reported on how they take care of themselves between jobs.

The report shows how many in the congressional brigade find ways to go from “working on the inside” to lobbying from the outside. Whether there’re loopholes that need closing is reserved for another day. If they can job hop with ease, why can’t they at least see the plight of those for which it’s not as easy?

It’s said Leno will return to his first love of stand-up comedy. Nothing seems to be in the works for doing Latenight on another network. Jimmy Fallon who’s stepping into Leno’s shoes says Jay can visit the show anytime. Wouldn’t it be nice if more officials felt the same way about the long-term jobless situation?

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. says if government officials can provide themselves an express route to “greener pastures” they should at least be able to provide the jobless with an entry-lane of options to a frustratingly slow job-market.