Most people don't have that flexibility.
> chose I think a really terrible example, one that creates a false sense of what it means for someone to be incidentally and unjustly swept up in a crime
I think the author chose an example from their own experience. Just because it seems ridiculous, doesn't change its accuracy.
I think it is quite relevant because it gets past the people who "can't believe that such a thing would happen to them".
At least as reported, petty theft seems quite rare; poor people qualify for food stamps, food banks, etc., or just beg/panhandle for money, so there aren't many cases. This profile of them suggests most shoplifters do it more for the thrill than any kind of necessity: http://www.shopliftingprevention.org/what-we-do/learning-res...
actively committing a crime ("stealing cars") v. passively committing a crime (failing to do something or looking the other way)
Also ignoring intent, People don't unintentionally steal a car. People can unintentionally fill out a form or misunderstand or be unaware of the requirements of the law.
Additionally, theft is ingrained into the fabric of society and religion. Following some sort of government reporting requirement is not included in any religious teaching that I am aware of.
I am talking instead about a situation where an employee knows the organization is corrupt, and then knowingly and actively participates in some of those criminal actions. You can't deliver vouchers you know to be fraudulent. If you do, you are and should be criminally liable. Large-scale organized fraud depends in part on the willingness of every cog in the organization to perpetuate the criminal enterprise.
Most people really don't have the flexibility to not quit. See, if you don't then you could easily end up in the kind of trouble that will cause your life to go right off the good path and onto a terrible one. Keep in mind that simply committing one crime makes you more likely to commit others just because you are now vulnerable. That tactic has caused many smart and otherwise good people to lose their bearings.
Because at the end of the day, you know you can probably get away with institutional crime quite easily, but not with petty theft. And most people know what the consequences of the latter are, but not so for the former.
I'm not suggesting it, I'm saying it.
I am NOT saying "feels" - I am saying "they do NOT have the flexibility to quit".
For example, my sister and her husband do not have that flexibility. They are at the limit of what their "barely above minimum wage" jobs support. They have some savings and they are very good about managing their resources; however they are a job loss or injury away from going negative and both work in jobs that are physically demanding.