I think you're focusing too much on "nuclear operator" here. As mentioned in the article, Homer worked a variety of different jobs throughout the season. In my

I think you're focusing too much on "nuclear operator" here. As mentioned in the article, Homer worked a variety of different jobs throughout the season. In my opinion, it's not realistic for a high-school graduate with no additional training to be a nuclear operator. I believe it was part of the "ridiculous" that went towards making the show entertaining, and a job that most people would not have in sight into. My point is that a lack of a specific type of job is not the root cause of the situation the author is describing.