In a sardonic – and not half bad – idea on how to address the nation’s recession, Laugh Factory founder and head, comedy legend Jamie Masada, requests $700,000 of government funds to get laughter on the road.
“Average, hardworking Americans are losing their jobs and we keep bailing out the rich people who got us into this mess. The underprivileged and those laid off deserve a break, and I believe that through comedy and laughter we can help lessen the stresses and tensions that are plaguing our citizens in this economy and in doing so make the recovery come that much faster,†Masada said echoing the populist rage that has caused such debate about the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) program.
In addition to helping some of our best and most troubled assets, comedians, Masada believes his “Economic Cheer-Up†would help with the Obama administration’s planned health care reform, “What we plan to do will help people cut back on depression pills, medical bills and suicide. And at the same time we are helping over 1,000 of our most talented comedians do what they do best: make people happy,†Masada said.
Masada has a long history of giving back to the community; the Laugh Factory serves its extended community free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for struggling artists and the homeless annually. Further, runs “Comedy Camp†which has helped over 800 underprivileged children in the Los Angeles area learn the ropes of stand-up with the help of volunteer instructors like Ellen DeGeneres, the Wayans Brothers, and Chris Rock since its inception in 1984. Masada’s community work has been honored by the NAACP and The Ellis Island Foundation for his community work.
For more information on The Economic Cheer Up – aka The Comedy Bailout – and for a few much needed laughs – check out www.laughfactory.com.
