Jobless returning troops blame government

[EV_Ares]

Survey shows 44% of reservists not happy with Labor Department's handling of employment discrimination issues;Sen. Kennedy (D-Mass.) plans legislation.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home, Defense Department data shows.

The Pentagon survey of reservists in 2005-2006, obtained by The Associated Press, details increasing discontent among returning troops in protecting their legal rights after taking leave from work to fight for their country.

It found that 44 percent of the reservists polled said they were dissatisfied with how the Labor Department handled their complaint of employment discrimination based on their military status, up from 27 percent from 2004.

Nearly one-third, or 29 percent, said they had difficulty getting the information they needed from government agencies charged with protecting their rights, while 77 percent reported they didn't even bother trying to get assistance in part because they didn't think it would make a difference.

Legal experts say the findings might represent the tip of the iceberg. Formal complaints to the Labor Department by reservists hit nearly 1,600 in 2005 -- the highest number since 1991 -- not counting the thousands more cases reported each year to the Pentagon for resolution by mediation.

Under the law, military personnel are protected from job discrimination based on their service and are generally entitled to a five-year cumulative leave with rights to their old jobs upon their return. Reservists typically file a complaint first with a Pentagon office, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), which seeks to resolve the dispute informally.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who chairs the Senate Health Committee, said he was troubled by the findings. He said he plans legislation to hold agencies accountable by requiring them to collect and release employment data.

'War on Terror' may cost $2.4 trillion

(((entire article @ link: http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/08/news/economy/bc.apfn.vets.returningto.ap/?postversion=2007110808

[lib2DaBone]

1. only 7% of Election decisions based on facts

Wolf Blitzer today on CNN.. blames the "Democrats" for current economic woes. CNBC blames the "Democrats" for the slide in the dollar and the Mortgage Crises. America is silent...? WTF? Fact: According to CNN, only 7% of voting decision made in the voting booth are based on fact.. the rest are based on media coverage and spin. No shit, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wal-Mart.