Operation J.U.M.P.

Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs Spoke Truth to Power Unexpectedly

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

It seems the ‘floodgates of realism’ broke wide open recently. First it was the Pope who called attention to the widening economic gap worldwide. Then President Obama delivered his income inequality speech quoting the Pope. But it was Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs who spoke truth to power unexpectedly.

Blankfein was participating in an industry forum where he shared how the economic recession changed him as a person. He went on to describe the American economy as one that creates wealth better than it spreads the wealth. No one expected someone with his power to identify the problem so simply.

It’s probably what the folks from Occupy Wall Street were trying to say. Industry reports indicate that much of the economic gains since the recession have gone to the ‘one percent.’ These are basically the rich and super-rich. It’s like a CEO getting a 100% salary increase and workers get a cost of living bump.

So Operation J.U.M.P. and others ask the question, Is this a social or moral disconnect? Inquiring minds want to know. How does an executive explain a 13 million dollar salary while a large percentage of the workers are below the poverty line? Supply versus demand can’t be the only market-based reason.

It’s not a surprise to hear the Pope address this subject. He’s seen as a next generation leader. As Fast-Food workers organize for improved income standing, they’re counting on shifting the game as well. Whether he knows or not, it might take a changed person like Blankfein to spread economic justice for all.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. might not be a silver bullet for economic justice but it sure recognizes that not everybody was born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

Janet Yellen Comes Out Swinging at Congress for Being Heartless

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

Federal Reserves’ Chairman Ben Bernanke announced some time ago that he’ll step down in January at the end of his current term. He took the job during the Bush Administration and was kept on by President Obama. The nominee to replace him, Janet Yellen, came out swinging at Congress for being heartless.

She testified last week at Senate confirmation hearings. Yellen, if confirmed, would become the first woman in that role. While she might have her eyes set on stepping into the job, she’s clearly not backing down on stepping into the fire. Yellen feels the economic recovery has been hampered by the Sequester.

She’s also shining the light on the rise in income inequality. The top one-percent has seen tremendous increases in income while the bottom 20-percent struggle to stay afloat. This might point to social roadblocks and policy decisions akin to the racial inequality that some experienced from cradle to grave.

Back in those days (not long ago) the concern was removing barriers to employment that some groups faced. Our history shows how they received “leftover” jobs or low-grade work assignments. So, the powers-that-be took steps to address the apparent “reoccurring oversight” that was found in the system.

If Yellen becomes the next Feds sheriff in town, it might truly mean we need affirmative action for all on job market inequality. Maybe workers below the C-Suite or High Street need to have some of the same protections and options as those above. This way the game can be played on more transparent terms.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. includes an economic justice component that can bring together the money-changers on High Street and the game-changers on Low Street to exchange notes on embracing equal protections and options for job market progress.

Mayor @MikeBloomberg a Good Candidate for ‘Jobs Czar’ When Term Ends

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

The rumors are swirling about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s next stop after leaving office. It looks like a well-earned vacation is in the works. He probably hasn’t been able to really kick-back over the past 12 years. Some see a return to the company he founded. But Bloomberg’s a good candidate for ‘Jobs Czar.’

With his business background and public service, he could hit the ground running. He’d be a role model for those who’re still dealing with a tough job market. The recent Jobs Report showed a jump in new payroll hires. However, the labor participation rate’s at an all-time low. A major concern is the MIA jobless.

Bloomberg doesn’t have to worry about his next job. He can go from employed to unemployed, then back to being employed in a flash. While the average Jane or Joe has got to hang on for dear life. It’s almost as if there’s a job market jet-stream that benefits some and job market rip currents that pulls-down others.

Operation J.U.M.P. is more like a jet-stream than rip currents. It’s facilitating a job market pipeline and business dream-track for those reinventing themselves. This is not a cake-walk and is seen as a calling. Operation J.U.M.P. stands to be a model for next gen pink-collar workers in the social-change revolution.

Some NY media are reporting that Bloomberg is likely to be less visible. He has lots of options regarding his other philanthropic and social justice interests. There’re even reports that he might carry over some mayoral staff to his new job. Whatever he decides, it’s sure to leave a mark whether people like it or not.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. works more like a jet-stream than rip currents. It’s about providing emotional, financial and social lift for career/business goals to fly again even higher with “jump-stream” force.

Edward Snowden and Jon Gosselin Caught Trading Secrets?

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

Remember the reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8?” It was about a family with sextuplets and twins. The show lasted for five seasons before being renamed “Kate Plus 8” after Jon and Kate had a falling-out. Remember the name Edward Snowden? What if Snowden and Gosselin were caught trading secrets?

Snowden is accused of leaking classified government information. He’s been out of a job and in search of a country to call home. He was recently granted asylum in Russia. Now, word is that he’s been hired by a tech company. He’s even asked the U.S. government for clemency. The response was “no can do.”

Gosselin who’s a former IT computer professional has been looking for work since the breakup with his wife and being dropped from the show. He’s been seen waiting tables at a restaurant and says he lives in less than ideal circumstances. Gosselin wants to return to a normal life with a normal job.

What can Snowden say to Gosselin or Operation J.U.M.P. say to those like Gosselin who want a normal return in their employment situation? Sure, it takes focus, drive and common sense to hit the pavement in search of opportunity. But it might also take a social-change system, trading career and business secrets.

Some see Snowden as a traitor for leaking sensitive material. Others believe he’s provided a valuable service in civic duty. While that debate rages on he’s gotten a job in a foreign land while others who kept their noses clean can’t hold their breaths much longer. So, what does that say about our focus on jobs?

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. keeps the focus on jobs similar to how a magnifying glass focuses the sunlight on paper to help spark more pockets of opportunity for the unemployed, under-employed and emerging self-employed.”

Sean Hannity Might Have Played Russian-Roulette with Obamacare Worker

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

The blame game continues in Washington. Some are pointing fingers after the shutdown. Others are saying the Healthcare.gov site has been a debacle. Hearings on Capitol Hill try to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Sean Hannity might have played Russian-Roulette with Obamacare worker.

Reports are that he interviewed a customer service rep on his radio show. Not sure if the purpose was legit beyond “inquiring minds” but the Atlantic Wire writes that the worker was fired the next day. A mother of two, she provided information about the rollout of Obamacare and put her job on the cutting block.

Hannity reportedly offered to pay her yearly salary. He also said it would be a gift which according to his accountant made it tax free. The woman was overjoyed for sure. Fired and then getting a year’s pay in a matter of days. But that’s not the case for others. There’re about 5 million who’ve gone under the radar.

They are known as discouraged or marginally attached workers. The number keeps growing as the unemployment rate dips. That is the often overlooked stat in the Jobs Report. Operation J.U.M.P. sure hopes to connect with them similar to how Hannity served his caller (of-course, after getting her fired).

Some say Hannity was trying to get a scoop on Obamacare. It’s back in the news since the Shutdown is almost old news. After going from insult to injury, he apologized and made amends. But for the POW (prisoners of work-loss) or workforce MIA, let’s hope other big-money moves can come thru for them too.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. is about connecting resources to the long-term jobless in a way similar to how a Church provides resources to those “sick and shut-in.”

Benjamin Netanyahu Had Some Choice Words About the U.S. Shutdown

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

The U.S. shutdown is behind us! After 16 days of “made-for-tv posturing” our elected officials have re-opened important services in Washington. One side still feels it was worth it. The other side is frustrated by it. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had some choice words (get to that in a minute).

President Obama briefed the nation on Thursday as well as Saturday in his weekly address. In looking back he gave his own post mortem on the situation. In looking forward he outlined a few workable objectives. They include budget balancing, immigration reform and making government work better.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Washington is broken. Some have referred to it as dysfunction. There’s the old saying “if you keep on doing what you’re doing you’ll keep on getting what you deserve.” That’s one way to see why Operation J.U.M.P. hopes to motivate social change.

A few of the workable objectives include branding reinvention across business and community. This involves having a purposeful sense of identity in the marketplace. It’s also about innovations in social change. This means breaking the mold to discovering new opportunities worth their weight in gold.

Netanyahu told CNN that Israeli law avoids a shutdown. After six months of not having a budget the government is required to call emergency elections. This forces all parties to get with the program and get in the groove. Otherwise, the people could potentially shake things up by voting them out of office.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. is kinda like a groove thing. In the words of that song from back in the day by Peaches and Herb, “shake your groove thing yeah yeah, show them how we do it now.”

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Offered Free Coffee to Help End Shutdown

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

Who knew public figures in Washington had a heart? Washington D.C. is another story but that coffee company in Washington State is setting an example. With the political stalemate flirting with checkmate something’s gotta give. So Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz offered free coffee to help end the shutdown.

He made a deal with customers. If they’d buy someone else their favorite beverage they’d get a free cup of their favorite brew. This was to encourage customers to urge the political leaders in Washington to come together. Schultz isn’t shy about social issues as Starbucks recently took a stand on guns in stores.

He’s concerned about the “unending cycle of dysfunction and doubt” during these uncertain economic times. Other CEOs have chimed in expressing their frustration with how our elected officials are handling the country’s fiscal matters. Sometimes their actions feel like a made-for-tv movie with a bad plot.

The message that the CEOs are echoing regarding our economy is similar to what is being said by Operation J.U.M.P. about the job market. There’re too many people experiencing doubt and despair due to hiring uncertainty. For them, sometimes it might feel like a bad dream before the nightmare ends.

Starbucks sees giving away coffee as a ‘spark gesture.’ It’s about connecting with customers based on their normal concerns and desires. They hope to make an impact by paying-it-forward with a ‘java boost.’ So it is with Operation J.U.M.P. in connecting with the jobless, restless and those feeling related distress.

Footnote: Operation J.U.M.P. is about coming together as a community to provide a java-like boost to those seen as dispensable or overlookable.

Is John Boehner on the List of U.S. Hirings or Firings?

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

The government shutdown is set to enter its second week. There’s no budge or budget in sight. Many are hurting as kids don’t have daycare and seniors don’t have eldercare. Our leaders spend more time attacking the other party than attacking the problems. So, is John Boehner on the list of hirings or firings?

That’s a question many ask as we approach the holiday season. A few retailers have already announced their temporary-help hiring plans. This is also a time when some companies announce layoffs to their workforce. The holidays can be a time of higher consumer confidence but lower workplace confidence.

It’s almost as if our government needs a ‘jump’ right now. Some in Congress need us to ‘jump’ in their faces and ask what’s wrong with them. This is no way to run a country as a business or to run a business as we run this country. If government were a private business the Corporate Board would have to act.

As citizens we are the Board and we’ll have to decide the next time we vote. But in the meantime let’s do our part in providing a J.U.M.P. (joining in unity to motivate progress) to our communities. This is what we’d do if the service truck didn’t show-up for that stranded “runway-model” motorist.

Let’s remind John Boehner and our elected leaders to be there for us like roadside service. If the service truck is a no-show then motorists will cancel their business contract. Maybe as we give a ‘jump’ to others, some in Congress will get the hint. But those who miss the point should miss their curbside perks.

Footnote: The holiday season as a time of high consumer confidence and equally high workplace anxiety is a good time to begin joining in unity to motivate progress.

Jeb Corliss as the ‘Wingsuit Man’ Must be the Daredevil Of Our Day

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

It seems the word stuntman has taken on new meaning. Back in the day it was just amazing to see Evil Knievel do his motorcycle jumps across cars and canyons. It was jaw-dropping to see others do flips, spins and ride on one wheel. But Jeb Corliss as the ‘wingsuit man’ must be the daredevil of our day.

As a professional parachutist he’s done jumps from the Eiffel Tower, the Space Needle in Seattle and the sacred statue in Rio De Janeiro. Recently, he performed his death-defying ‘flying dagger’ jump from a helicopter 6000 feet above. He glided at 75-mph between two Chinese mountain peaks 25 feet apart.

In his words “It was the single gnarliest (craziest) thing I’ve ever done in my life, without a doubt.” The jump was almost cancelled due to bad weather. By the afternoon there was a break in the fog and a lull in the winds. Corliss says he did the stunt to show how with courage others can pursue their dreams.

Well, Operation J.U.M.P. says don’t believe the hype! This level of courage is not required for everybody’s dream. It’s not about being a daredevil as much as it’s about being a dare-dreamer. Dreams come with equal expectations but different sacrifice. In the end it comes down to taking a leap of faith.

Corliss will go on to do other mind-blowing stunts. These acts of ‘crazy’ are not to be tried at home. In the meantime, the rest of us can continue with ‘normal’ dreams that still require getting past some fears. It helps to rise about the ‘fray of the day’ in life’s situations to get a better view of the big picture.

Footnote: The level of courage required for pursuing dreams is not the same for everybody because dreams come with equal expectations but different sacrifice.

Has ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Gone Bust Like the Past Market Crash?

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

Last week saw the second anniversary of Occupy Wall Street protests. A spattering of about 100 people came to rally their cause. Many concerns of unemployment and income inequality that drove the demonstrations remain. So, has Occupy Wall Street (OWS) gone bust like the past market crash?

The word on the street is that they’ve gone underground. They resurfaced a year ago after Hurricane Sandy. Many groups provided disaster relief and logistic support. But others think it has just about fizzled. The effort seems to have lost its steam because the leaders couldn’t agree on the overriding purpose.

This can apply to any other movement that touts social change. People will come and go but the larger purpose prevails. The main purpose of Operation J.U.M.P. is to help relieve joblessness or job distress and bring unsung dreams back from the dead. Of-course, there’re a few economic justice items thrown in.

Think of Operation J.U.M.P. like raising the sunken ship Costa Concordia. A team of specialty engineers put together a plan to upright the ship. This was a very complex operation that involved pulleys, cables and steel structures. Now that it’s been ‘righted’ it will take another year before the site returns to normal.

OWS as a tactic might have served its main purpose. It elevated issues of economic injustice needing public attention. Operation J.U.M.P. as a grassroots initiative partners with other ‘social-preneurs’ across various market sectors to help upright the job market back to normal and keep raising new-found dreams.

Footnote: The purpose of Operation J.U.M.P. as a grassroots initiative is to respond to the 4 million long-term jobless, 8 million of under-employment restless and the untold millions with fears that lead to unsung dreams in the job-market ocean.