Jobless man asks judge for jail time

[BluePatriot]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/12/robber.retirement.ap/...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police.

On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison sentence would suit him, and the judge obliged.

"At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs. There is age discrimination out there," Bowers, who turns 63 in a few weeks, told Judge Angela White.

The judge told him: "It's unfortunate you feel this is the only way to deal with the situation."

_______

This is so sad, but predictable...

[robinlynne]

1. I would call this "the state of the union".

[ThomCat]

2. I hope he was put in minimum security.

It's a damned shame when prison looks like the only option.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Unfortunately, I think we will be seeing this more often.

At least you can count on a roof over your head and 3 meals a day. It makes me so angry that anyone should have to resort to this.

[nam78_two]

3. Thats so sad

Poor man

This is the kind of story-if the dolts on cable are gonna insist on showing "human interest" crap-at least it should be stories like this....
Here is a story about one individual that actually does say a lot about our society...

But nah at the end of the day I think Paris Hilton's wardrobe or whatever will win....

I always look at the front page of MSN with wonder:
http://www.msn.com

[William Bloode]

4. Nothing new.

I have known of quite a few folks committing smaller crime to get some time. It's a bit odd a man would rob a bank and be looking for a few years though. Most of the cases i have seen are homeless and semi-homeless who will commit a crime to weather out the winter.

[jody]

5. He can collect SS at 62. He needs a counselor. n/a

[China_cat]

7. No, not any more.

You can't collect until 67 now. (We just got our statements)

[jody]

9. SS Online says 62. See Q & A below.

QUOTE
Question
What is the earliest age that I can begin receiving retirement benefits?

Answer

The earliest age at which you can begin getting Social Security retirement benefits is 62.

The 1983 Social Security Amendments, signed by President Reagan, included a provision for raising the retirement age beginning with persons born in 1938 or later, but do not affect the minimum age for retirement, still age 62. You will receive a reduced benefit if you elect benefits prior to your full retirement age.
UNQUOTE

[China_cat]

12. The statement we received 2 weeks ago

says that we can apply for reduced benefits at 65 (further reduced at 62 but only if disabled) and full benefits at 67.

The website does not reflect what is being sent to people.

[jody]

13. The person in the article is 62, he could be eligible for reduced benefits

[China_cat]

14. Only if he's also disabled.

[jody]

15. Sorry but the SS site says 62 for reduced benefits. I believe the site.

QUOTE
If you were born between 1943 and 1954,

Your full retirement age is 66

Remember, the earliest a person can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits will remain age 62.

If you start receiving retirement benefits at age 62, you will get 75% of the monthly benefit because you will be getting benefits for an additional 48 months.
UNQUOTE

[Rosemary2205]

22. You are mistaken

Seniors are eligible for 80% of their full benefit at age 62. If they wait until age 65 they get their full benefit. - I believe this is true for anyone born before 1960 but I could be mistaken on that. My mother, born in 1940's just recently took her 80% benefit at age 62 because they needed the money NOW.

At my age group (I am in my 40's) I am eligible for 80% of full benefit at age 65 and my full benefit at 67.

I could be mistaken but I believe people in their 20's are being told they will get 80% benefit at 68 and full benefit at 70.

Regardless the rules are almost guaranteed to change.

[Sequoia]

6. I know some people who think this is their only option.

Seriously. I've heard them say, "I can't find a job, not even washing dishes, or picking grapes. If I rob a bank I can go to jail and at least have a bed to sleep in and something to eat." It is a serious situation for Boomers.

[DaveJ]

10. Does not sound like the judge was surprised...

Probably happens all the time. What sucks is that a person can work full time every day for 40+ years and still not make enough money to have a simple retirement. That's America!

[SoCalDem]

11. Out here a few years back, a guy with cancer robbed a 7-11

because he could not get medical treatment on the "outside". Once arrested, he got surgery & chemo..

I lost track of the story.. don;t know if he lived or not..

[aikoaiko]

16. What irony -- we used to sneer at the repugs when they said thugs had it

...better in prison than on the outs and want to be there for the 3 hots and cot.

Its a topsy turvey political climate.

[NMMNG]

17. This is what "compassionate conservativism" has reduced the US to

Go to jail and have a record or starve to death in the streets.

[MadHound]

18. This isn't uncommon, been going on since the Reagan era

Homeless guy goes out and commits a crime that will land him a few months in jail, just in time to avoid having to spend the winter outside without shelter. A sad commentary on our society.

[bklyncowgirl]

19. Anyone remember the old O'Henry story "The Cop and the Anthem"

It's about a bum who tries to get himself arrested so he can spend the winter enjoying free room and board courtesy of the state.

Things haven't changed much.

[eridani]

20. Lots of folks do that to get health care n/t

[AwakeAtLast]

21. Wasn't George Burns in a movie with the same plot?

That was supposed to be a comedy though, right?

Very sad, indeed.