Comedian Jay Leno of NBC’s “The Tonite Show” is the latest celebrity wanting to do something for those unemployed workers in America impacted by the downturn in the economy. Mr. Leno is scheduled to perform before an audience in the town of Wilmington, OH, for what is billed as his “Comedy Stimulus Performance.” According the April 28, 2009 edition of the Tacoma News Tribune, Section A2, an estimated 3,100 of the printed 4, 000 tickets have already been given out to the eagerly anticipatory crowd; much like someone waiting for the government stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service to come in the mail.
After Jay Leno entertains the crowd with his usual repertoire of jokes, comedy skits, ad-lib, and introductory warm-up monologue, producing belly laughs and a raucous roar of approval and applause from the appreciative crowd, what will this jocular ‘placebo’ really accomplish? It won’t change anything and the same problems that people had before will remain with them after all the playtime is over. Instead of this effort, why not do something that produces real results that are tangible and measurable.
If Mr. Leno was performing at a nightclub in Las Vegas and ticket prices started at say, $55.00, then the 3,100 free tickets given away in Ohio would have made at least $170, 500 at one of those venues in Vegas. So instead of traveling to Wilmington to give the people in financial dire straits a “Feel-good moment,” this money could have been sent there instead, and used to help support perhaps a dozen families to either pay some of their living expenses for a year, medical/ dental bills, or prescription medication costs; especially if they have exhausted all their Unemployment Insurance and are not receiving Public Assistance and have no other resources.
Having said all that, still, Mr. Leno should be commended for his compassion, altruism, and good heart because he does have the right intentions; and like many others, he just wants to help do something in any way that he can or knows how. This kind of unselfishness, civic responsibility, moral decency, and spirit of giving is what makes America such a great country. It is ‘the tie-that-binds’ when a person unconditionally and unsolicited, responds to another’s misfortune, pain, and sense of loss. It is a pity and a shame that more people don’t do the same thing.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 5, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
