Masada has seen comedy brighten people's lives, both audiences and comics. He recalls that his friend, the comedian Rodney Dangerfield, insisted on performing after brain surgery. 

The owner helped the ailing comic on the stage, but as the audience responded, Dangerfield found renewed energy. Masada said the color came back to his face, and he finished his act and he walked off the stage unaided.

Masada says the same thing can work for the country. With big banks and corporations getting bailouts, he suggests creating a government-sponsored comedy corps, with comics fanning out across the country. The famous ones, he says, would donate their time and struggling young comedians could receive a small salary.  

The economic stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed last month includes $50 million in funding for the arts. Masada wants something devoted to humor. He suggests a $700,000 national comedy project, which he says is a small price to pay to cheer up the country.