Outsourced worker, now homeless, robs bank to get food/shelter (jail)

[Bozita]

This is a fucking outrage!


http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061...


December 29, 2006
Feds fail workers hurt by outsourcing
Critics call for massive overhaul of program designed to help employees displaced by globalization.

Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau

The machine-tool designers at Tesco Technologies' Auburn Hills plant had long suspected that the Indian engineers whom they had helped train would one day take their jobs. The layoff notices, in the summer of 2004, were no surprise.

But the Tesco engineers had not imagined that they would face a second opponent: the U.S. Department of Labor. When they applied for help from a federal program designed to help those unemployed because of international trade, the department first delayed, then denied their application.

More than two years later, they're still waiting for benefits, despite a federal judge's ruling that the labor department officials essentially invented their reason for denying the workers' application. "I think their process (is) no matter what, they're going to deny it," said Gary Mosey, 50, of Oxford Township, who filed the original application and has been fighting since. "It's so late now, several of these people have either found another way to hang on, or they went down already."

One example of that, Mosey said, was the situation of a former co-worker, 60-year-old Lawrence Lawson, who was arrested in July after police said he tried to rob a Troy bank; his lawyer said the man was desperate for a place to live, even a jail cell, after losing his home.

more...

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. This is a taste of things to come.

and one of the reasons the violent crime rate is up.

[Breeze54]

4. "things to come"???

We've been there for a long time now...
I feel for the guy and those applications being denied is outrageous!
But I've been in his shoes, for the same reasons and I never robbed anybody.
Not that the thought didn't cross my mind...

HUD subsidized housing cuts, cuts in employment training, cuts, cuts, cuts!!
That's just some of the things we have to "thank" the rethugs for!!
assholes!

[Double T]

2. Our government and corporate leaders have collectively created this MESS........

the MESS transcends political parties as BOTH DEMS and rethugs are to blame. It is time for the middle class to take back our country from the greed driven marauders that won't be satisfied till we're all living in Tijuana style shanty huts working for $1.00/hour, if we're lucky. America has become a fool and a worldwide disgrace

[Skidmore]

3. Amen, and if I hear one more person trying to justify

supporting this corporate crime and the fraud and criminal activity it takes to traffic individuals in illegally and keep them here, I am going to scream.

[cdnwannabe]

8. Here's an idea for a way to START changing things...

And I want to emphasize that I understand that not all of us can afford to do these types of things, but, those of us who can, must...

There is a company called Justice Clothing

http://www.justiceclothing.com/thereis/justice /

Our economy is built on consumerism now, especially since we have almost zero manufacturing capability. We must seek out companies like this and support them. We must support companies that don't use cheap labor. We must support local, non-chain shops and restaurants and union-made and/or U.S. made items.

If everyone on DU purchased just one item from Justice Clothing and like companies this year, it could go a long way towards taking back our country. When we shop at places like Wal-Mart, we contribute to the continued destruction of this country, and by extension, the world.

[Double T]

10. Great idea, it is a start. Will call them as soon as they are back........

from vacation. Thanks!!

[cdnwannabe]

11. Bravo, and tell a friend!

[Double T]

13. I'll spread the word..........

site bookmarked and printed!

[catmandu57]

5. That's what I'd do

Given the choice between living homeless on the street and being locked up where I'd be fed and sheltered would be a no brainer.

[Bozita]

7. If I had a $$$ medical problem, I'd be in the bank in 20 minutes

[pitohui]

9. he must have been at his wit's end

at 60 he is pretty much not going to get hired or trained at any new job anyway, but those two extra years of unemployment benefits mentioned as part of the program would have made all the difference

at age 62 he could have started taking his social security early

so the 2 years of unemployment assistance he was wrongly denied probably would have made all the difference in keeping him from taking such a desperate measure

[EFerrari]

6. Sometimes kicking and rec'ing isn't all that satisfying.

Thanks for posting, though.

I guess we keep fighting back no matter what.

[Bozita]

12. And this is one of those times, isn't it?

You're quite welcome.