Should convicted felons be given a second chance? Barack Obama thinks so, and he thinks the tax payers should have to foot the bill. He made his view on this issue more than evident during a town hall meeting in Elyria, Ohio on January 22nd. Here is a excerpt from this Ohio town hall meeting, where a 29 year old felon who has never had a job in his life asks Obama if he will help felons get a job.
Jerome the felon asks Obama:
“I’m 29 years old, and I’ve never had a job in my life. I went to jail when I was younger. It’s like hard to get a job as a felon. Is this — any programs that hire people with felonies like something that — because it’s sad, it’s like — 29 years old, I’m 29.”
Obama Answers Jerome:
“Look, I’m proud of the fact that you’re bringing this up because there are people who’ve made mistakes, particularly when they’re young, and it is in all of our interests to help them redeem themselves and then get on a straight path. Now, I don’t blame employers obviously for being nervous about hiring somebody who has a record. It’s natural if they’ve got a lot of applicants for every single job that that’s a question that they’d have in their minds. On the other hand, I think one of the great things about America is we give people second chances.
And so what we’ve tried to do — and I want to say, this has been a bipartisan effort — when I was in the Senate, working with Sam Brownback; my Vice President, Joe Biden — passing a Second Chance Act that helps to fund programs that help the reintegration of ex-felons.
It’s smart for us to do. You know, sometimes people say, well, that’s just coddling people. No; you reduce the recidivism rate, they pay taxes, it ends up being smart for taxpayers to do.”
Shame on Jerome, if he really wanted a job he could get one. He is playing the victim card. In reality he is only a victim of his own bad decisions. Taxpayers already pay for convicts to be in prison, now Obama wants us to pay to get them a job? Don’t get me wrong, I believe everyone(well, almost everyone) deserves a second chance, but it is not the responsibility of everyone else to provide that second chance.
Now before you start sending me nasty emails saying “you are stupid, and you just don’t understand how hard it is for felons to get a job.” Please allow me to stray from the beaten path for a moment and tell you a bit about my own experience.
I am a convicted felon. Five felonies to be exact. I spent the later part of my teenage years (15-19 years old) as a drug addict. Between ages 18 – 19, I lived out of the back of an Oldsmobile, and skipped around from job to job (i kept getting fired for some odd reason, hmm) to raise money for my heroin habit. I continued this pattern of living until I was finally arrested, charged with 9 felonies, convicted of 5 felonies, and sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison. One day, as I was sitting in my cell, I thought to myself, “this isn’t the life I want. I want something better, and I’m going to get.” So I made a plan for what I was going to do when I got out, and I decided to use my time in there wisely by educating myself. I started studying college algebra, then moved on to calculus and finally computer science. I also applied for college while I was in prison, so I could attend as soon as I got out. My release day came, and guess what, I went out and got a job flipping burgers the next day.
I worked the early shift at my new job . Public buses didn’t run that early in the morning(in VA, if you receive a felony conviction you lose your license), so I walked to work, 5 miles, every morning. When my shift was over, I hoped on a bus, and went to the local community college to take a couple of classes. When I got out of class the buses weren’t running so I walked home, 4 miles, every night. This process repeated everyday for 9 months until I finally saved up enough money to pay off all of my court costs, and go through all of the red tape required to get my license back. When I finally got my license and my car back, I went out searching for a new, better job. I found 2 jobs. Who would have thought that a convict could get 2 jobs (Jerome couldn’t seem to find 1 in 29 years). I met a wonderful girl at one of these jobs, and we eventually got hitched! Fast forward 4 years and I am happily married, the proud owner of a brand new home, 6.5 years sober, have a good job, and I am almost done with a bachelors degree in computer science (I pay my own way through school, so I only take as many classes as I can afford).
I told you this story to tell you this. I know it is hard to get a job if you are a felon. I do understand. However, if you are a felon, you are not a victim of society, you are a victim of your actions. It is not the responsibility of tax payers to provide you with a second, it is your responsibility. In the United States there are infinite possibilities for a second chance, but you have to go out and get it. It will not come to you. Don’t let your criminal record hold you back, use it as a lesson in life. If you work hard, pursue your dreams, and strive to be a good citizen, good things will happen. That is the beauty of liberty and freedom, you have every opportunity to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get on the right track in life. How could you not love a country that has allowed a drug addicted, homeless convict to become a sober, homeowner, with a beautiful wife, and lives the American dream everyday. God Bless America!
Crossposted from Liberty and Pride
@magmatic123:
Great point.
I recall when the conscientious objectors to the Vietnam conflict came out of prison.
They were all felons.
So, what did they do?
Many of them became self-employed.
Our gardener was one of these.
He knew lots of ”ex-cons,” who were becoming rich because they did NOT allow their status as felons to get them down.
Nan G
hi, that is so true,
and to the order of the day.
bye
@isthatme:
This is why your debt should be forgiven. Illegals steal much more from the hard working citizens, yet they get amnesty. Trust me, if the government really cared about you they should also include you in amnesty. Illegals get amnesty and our own citizens are thrown under the bus.
@ilovebeeswarzone:
ilovebeeswarzone, I love how positive you are.
There is a verse in the bible that I just love, It got me through the toughest storms and this is how it goes. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. It don’t matter that the government tells us that we can’t be this or we can’t be that. I’m here to say that God is stronger than any government and if he calls us to be something or someone then he says it doesn’t matter about your past. For he has ordained you and will give you the desires of your heart.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
Who was next to Christ on the cross ? Answer Criminals.
God loves the criminals because he let his son spend the last few
hours on earth with them. So people, don’t sell yourselves short
there is a whole new world for you to conquer in Jesus name.
Chill
how nice of you to come, I like the words of the bible you gave me
and all my friends here,
they put up with my typo errors and I think of how polite and tolerant they are with me.
you know my positive attitude came from far down , I was 5 years old and in an orphenage just arrived
separated from my 3 older sisters after my mother died 4 years after my father died,
and I was in my bed and thinking and so ever lonely, and a prayer came in my mind,
GOD i lost my father my mother and they are with you,
now you will be my father and anything I want you will give it to me, because I’m alone now,
and the mindset stayed with me from than on,
I would love something later in young teenage and thought I can get it if I want, and turn away from
the envy, i always felt a positive power, and being the youngest I even could give it to my older sisters in their hard time when it came to them.
you won’t believe what I went through, and that positive would bring me to think,
nothing and no one can hurt me, they cannot touch my mind, because it’s mine .
bye
It’s sad what people think they know,I am one of the people that maid bad mistakes when I was young. I’ve been out of prison for almost seven years, its a lot harder for felons then people think. I have been self employed since my release, not easy to support a family with a record. I’ve met collage graduates that are more of a criminal than the cons I was locked up with, no one has a right to judge you for something you have already paid for. Want to talk about a waste of our taxes, let me pay taxes on keeping that scary man in prison ,but let him get out with no family and no support, and see how long he’s out. No one is perfect,some people get caught for there crimes and others become smarter, those are the ones that people need to worry about, not the ones that’s already done there time. Don’t judge like your perfect.
Jeff Anderson
yes I agree totally, and YES It must have been hard to reconnect,
I can understand, not because I am one who became label felon but because I remember being on my own very young and tried to find a job and lie on my too young age
so to get it. it stay with you all your life. the misery of youth innocence and falls,
learning the hard way. best to you.
@ Jeff
The excuse that backgrounds are to protect the business and money are hog wash. Anyone who knows business acknowledges, that the nature of a business entity actually expects it’s employees to steal and that’s why there’s internal affairs, accounting laws/practices of SOD (separation of duties) cameras and other measures set in place. A BUSINESS ENTITY TREATS ALL OF ITS EMPLOYEES AS THIEVES! In, my opinion, the only logical use of background checks is to prevent a person who is known to go “postal” on employees from working there. It’s probably better to have someone with a criminal past who will be on his best behavior knowing he’s likely being watched, opposed from the goodie, goodie who has slowly been robbing the company blind for years.
Interesting point…due to recent talks of leaks on a high level, a federal employee whose job is to profile criminals mentioned in an interview, that background checks really don’t say much. The reason people give for ground checks don’t really make sense and are not realistic. In most situations, it’s the ‘bigger,greedy, savage, demented’ criminal (if we can use that term) who points the finger at the guy who is struggling or made some bad decisions, as to draw attention away from himself.
Jeff hit it on the mark with…”I’ve met collage graduates that are more of a criminal than…” Here in Miami, I’d say 30% (probably more) of people with ‘clean’ records, are full blooded criminals and scam people whenever they have an opportunity, stealing from their employers and the system, left and right.
The Breast Cancer Society has declined to be evaluated by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. Better Business Bureau reports more than 85 cents of every dollar collected by this charity in 2010 went to pay fundraising costs (a/k/a paychecks to CEO, vice president, etc) and this is legal. These guys have no criminal history and are considered more suitable employees than more than all of us with records?
@ilovebeeswarzone:
You know this Immigration issue is a hot topic issue. This is for all of the felons and criminals, since the government is willing to pardon “Non-Citizens” of a crime they committed by crossing the border, then how much more should they be willing to forgive you of your past? I’m just saying give these people our citizens amnesty first before you give them to immigrants.
Chill
yes, this is so wrong to leave the felons behind
while OBAMA allow the criminal from other countries free
to mingle and live among the AMERICANS TRUE CITIZENS,
WHILE THE TRUE CITIZENS ARE SHUN BY THE JOBS MARKET,
UNFAIR AND UNAMERICAN,
SHAME ON HIM.
We need to write to our congressmen and our Senators to plead to them to change the law stating “No Amnesty to illegal immigrants until you completely pardon criminals after they do their time including wiping out their criminal records. That would only be right. Let’s make it happen.
@ilovebeeswarzone:
Chill
hi, and great idea, if all the people who came here decide to do it, that would be super,
and do it in the same month like this JULY, IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE
LETS DO IT,
who sang that song?
thank you for the good idea, we need all the good ideas we can find,
best to you
We should be encouraging and uplifting those who want to better their lives, but instead we have people like you complaining about them taking taxes in which they are going to get one way or the other. Also, I think president Obama was wrong about the U.S. being a forgiving nation. That’s crap because here in the U.S. those who commit “felonies” carry that title for the remainder of their lives. I mean those guys paid their debt to society via prison, why do they get punished their entire lives for a few mistakes. Yes I know some guys are just criminals and will never change, but why punish those who want to change. I know a few guys who made mistakes in their teens and are still suffering from it as they mature. Yeah they get small job opportunities, but most of those offers wouldn’t support a small child.
You complain about not wanting to putt tax money towards felons, when you already do so. For instance, how do you think prisons are funded? Yes, we pay for felons a place to sleep and warm meals. The sad part is that prison doesn’t rehabilitate, at least most American prisons don’t, but they tend to harden criminals. I would rather my tax money go towards making this country better and helping those in need, than to pay a few politicians big bucks to make decisions for millions of people. Besides would you rather those felons get a job and make their own money to buy their own things, or would you rather them come steal yours?
mike
hi, yes sir I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID,
IT’S NOT REAL AND THEY BLAME YOU IF YOU CANNOT FIND A JOB,
THEY PRETEND TO HELP THE ONE WHO CANNOT FIND A JOB BUT WHAT DO THEY DO, NOTING
just words which are not true,
If only some felon could open a business and hire only felon, that could solve the problem,
how to start, how to get the felon involved they lost their trust in any human, they are suspicious of one who would start, howto fix that? there are so many negatives included but we have to face them,
before we conquer them,
I think it’s possible we just need a gifted person who is a felon to decide the to push the start button,
he must be able to be a business person and know the meticulous secrets of the many wheels to make them rolled together, and with close to 100 thousands felons we surely have the skills to start and run a business and employees felons only.
it’s a better way of using our brain matter to find a way to create, than other negative thoughts
which make a person sad and desperate which is paralysing the mind
best to you
I am so sick of reading blogs like these. My boyfriend was accused of a crime when he was 17 (for stealing and burning a car) and was sent to 4 years because his “friends” pointed the finger at him. His “friends” also had dads with money and were friends with general attorneys. He has a job at a stupid warehouse were he does busy his ass everyday for 9 dollars and hour. And he does apply to other jobs, constantly, he even tries to tell them what happened right off from the start. He goes to church every Sunday with me, he prays and works hard. So please don’t stereotype that every felon is trying to live off the system or play a victim. Aren’t we suppose to be patriots? Support your brothers? No, not in this country anymore. A hard working decent man is just labeled because you think you know everyone’s life story.
LORIN
I DO FEEL BAD FOR YOU BOTH TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT REAL MISERY,
and you know here they all are having the same deal difficult recovery of AMERICANS,
SOME WITH DEEP ROOTS IN THE GROUND BEING CAST OUT OF WHAT THEY WANT,
THAT IS TO WORK WHERE THEY HAVE THE SKILL TO DO,
BUT IN THESES TIMES OF ECONOMY BROKEN BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT FAILING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, THE WORK LOAD IS REDUCE TO FEW HOURS by COMPANIES ADOPTING THE SAME FASHION,
so maybe he could seek for part tie work now and once he has a foot in the door and prove he is qualified for more, he might get a chance later,
best to you, and don’t give up, it doesn’t bring anything productive to get mad and give up,
bye
if you don’t have a felony then you have no place to criticize someone who does for having difficulty finding a job. felons face employment discrimination as well as housing discrimination, and it disqualifies you for government assistance like welfare and food stamps leaving a majority with no way to provide for themselves and their families and no shelter leaving many feeling hopeless. many repeat offenders do so because they have no other choice. it’s your tax money that pays for their stay in prison. you want to get the most out of your tax money? try a more compassionate approach, remember they’re human just like you and me. we all make mistakes, some worse than others, but accusing someone of playing the victim card only makes you look ignorant and doesn’t do anything to help our very serious crime problem. the fact that he built up the courage to admit he has a felony and ask for help speaks largely about his desire to be a better person. but your mentality does nothing but continue to make the situation worse. keep this in mind: we are the land of the free, yet we incarcerate more citizens than any other country in the world ten fold. you want to experience the hopelessness a felon feels? fill out some applications and check yes that you’ve been convicted of a felony and see how many employers even bother to call you for an interview.
Hi Lorin,
Thanks for writing. We often hear all the time, some people remarking on how they don’t want their ‘hard earned’ tax dollars going to certain things. I wouldn’t pay them to much mind because that statement alone shows they have no clue to how a civilized world exist or country for that matter. In my opinion, all they really want is for someone to pat them on the back for how their circumstance turned around. As for the OP, the ‘computer’ industry is known for employing ‘criminals’ especially when they are smart (ie hackers), because when it comes to computers you want the brightest on your side. Actually in America there is a shortage of skilled people in this industry which to be the fastest growing. Good for him.
Back to the paying for people with tax dollars thing, let’s just say this…less than 10% of money actually exists. 100’s of millions of federal dollars go ‘missing’ all the time. Slaves worked harder than the OP and he’s reaping off their hard work, while they received nothing. The OP also reaps off the hard work of people in China. Our country is in debt, so they OP is really talking bad about his country too. Tell your Boyfriend to keep praying, do the next right thing, and to keep seeking after God. Sometimes I like to think, that if everything in my life, worked out perfect and I was a millionaire, perhaps I would have never turned to God, our Lord, which could have meant a fairly decent/good life on earth, and eternity suffering. Let all glory be his!
kitty
you’re so right, and it’s so ad to hear of the struggles so many endure, close to one hundred thousands ,
yes in a free country like AMERICA,
NO ONE CAN BELIEVE IT BUT IT’S TRUE,
AND A SHAME FOR AMERICA,
THE GOVERNMENT SPEND BILLIONS ABROAD AND FREE ILLEGALS EVEN THE CRIMINALS,
WHILE THE FELONS HAVE A HARD TIME TO MEET THEIR NEEDS,
HOPE YOU FIND SOMETHING FOR YOU.
is that me
hi,
you know they are working hard for quite a few years to chase GOD AWAY FROM ANY PUBLIC PLACE,
EVEN THE MILITARY ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE CHAPLAIN,
LAST NEWS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PUT AN ATHEIST TO REPLACE A CHAPLAIN AT THE WARZONE, HE WAS ASK AND SAID OH THAT’S NOTHING DIFFERENT ALL THE SOLDIERS NEED IS SOMEONE WHO LISTEN TO THEIR COMMENT,
NO GOD TO LEAN ON BY HAVING WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE CHAPLAIN,
THIS IS VERY BAD AND UNACCEPTABLE, WHO WILL TALK AND COMPLAIN FOR THE MILITARY?
BYE
Who fought for your freedom OP? An estimated 60% of those who fought for America’s Independence were ‘criminals’ or ex-felons in their times. Anyways, your tax dollars are not yours. They belong to the government. What is government? A system that…. you get the point
@ ilovebeeswarzone
I know what you mean….
In Colossians 3:2 it reads ” If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God”
as for what people in the world are doing,
Philippians 3:19,20 reads “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…
My fiance has a felon..He killed his step dad… His step dad went into a fit of anger because his mom didn’t put enough creamer in his coffee… He hit the man on the back of the head with a cast iron frying pan .. hwen all other attempts to get the man off his mom failed… The man died and my fiance spent 11 years in prison. He spent more time on Parole.. Point is he did his time… until 911 he did get jobs after 911 he can’t get a job cleaning floors… He can’t get jobs taking out trash… HIS crime was 20 years ago and he can’t get a job for nothing
Trudy
I would think that this is like a stand your ground case to protect another life,,
it’s clear to me, how come it’s not clear to the justice is mind bogling,
there are so many case on the same side, and those convicted, has to pay all their lives,
because they where protecting one weaker person,
there not almost one hundred thousand felons for nothing,
it’s not all their failure but the justice system has to take a lot of responsibility in their decisions
to send those people in a life time of hardship and hard time of being unable to earn a decent living,
to feed their family, no matter how educated and intelligent they are,
the doors are close to those non criminals lost among them,
they have been given a slow death sentence by that suppose justice judge department,
I love this article and I 100% agree. I spent 4 years in the department of corrections and got out enrolled in school, and was given a job a couple of days later because I put coffee down my throat and my feet on the pavement. I soon became a manager there and enrolled in school. While I stumble occasionally, I pick myself back up to work twice as hard as before. I am in school and 2 years in on my degree, with only two years out of prison. I am almost off parole and plan to keep working hard. It is hard to find a job that pays great at first, but the American dream is there for those who remember the part about working hard to get there.
Brett
I wish you a good life,, you did not give up,
although it was so hard,
What do u do when your a felon because of corruption and ur.ex husband paying officials to charge you and stalks your good jobs and gets you fired when he threatens defamation?
@ Brett – Good for you. There’s basically two options right?: 1) ‘put feet to pavement’ and grind forward or 2) give up completely, which includes everything else besides moving forward in a positive manner. About the article…I don’t agree. The OP speaks about the government making “us” having to “pay” for felons (them) to get a job. His premise doesn’t make sense and when people (including me) use the word “us” and refer to ‘them’, I’d use caution. These terms tend to have a deeper level separation, perhaps hate, in their hearts/minds. Just ask him who he voted for: Romey or Obama? and see how it flows into his post.
@l.anne – If you will…read Psalm 91 (Bible). Seek refuge in the Lord. As you are experiencing, this world is full of corruption, deceit and malice. Look closely at the company you keep…Find those who fear the God, who follow Christ, (not just those who just go to church, but those that strive to follow Christ daily. Pray, ask God for help and a peace of mind and seek his kingdom. You’re (we’re) not perfect, neither will you be on earth, but seek refuge in the Lord, who is.
It is 3:00 am and I am awake sending this email to you. Although I have to go to work in about six hours. Well the reason for this is because I am in a pecular situation that involves my personal property. I guess I lost my rights due to a Conviction from 1992, involving Strong Armed Robbery. Though what is occurring currently is one or more of the roommtes and/or family members at a boarding house where I reside, have developed some crafty behaviors after learning that I am a excon. Though I have already expressed knowledge that these roommates have entered in my rented room when I am not home and inside my vehicle when I am asleep searched and made copies of my bank account information, my credit card information, my drivers license, sets of keys, etc, these roommates have still increased their criminal intent in another way. (FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY INITIAL COMPLAINT PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL).
This is the most current issue. One or more of four roommates, or a family member or a friend of these roommates, enter my vehicle and sits inside using narcotics during the middle of the night, while it is parked outside on the property of a single family home owned by “Elder Goodman”. I am aware that guns are inside of the home, and the roommates have all updated their guns as a result of learning of my criminal history. I believe that these roommate is sitting inside my vehicle at night for hours with a concealed loaded weapon, which he or she hides underneath the leather carriage surrounding my emergency brake, while using narcotics.
This exact same incident has occurred in the past by other residents of rentals that I had temporarily shared, for example while residing at the home of “Cornball Jennings”. Though he was a disabled veteran of the military, he sat inside my vehicle once or twice during the night without my permission, also using narcotics and watching out for neighbors who he thought were plotting to break in his home. Early one day Jennings practically took my car by way of bribery , and because I couldnt afford to move out immediately and without any other places to go at the time. This happened in May of this year, I had just fell asleep because I had been afraid to sleep deeply during night hours. Jennings said he was to go and return swiftly from the city. What I thought was he was on a search of a narcotics escapade.
Although they are all probably just concerned because I have only been living here for ten days. Also they all just recently learned that I am an excon of Strong Armed Robbery from 1992.
Due to the peculiar activities that are occurring involving my privacy and property , I fear the roommates here in this situation where I just moved on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. For three or four days one or more of these roommates sits inside my vehicle during the middle of the night, using narcotics while holding or hiding a concealed weapon. Unlike the incidents with Jennings, I fear these individuals will steal my vehicle or will not ask me for permission to drive my car to Miami to purchase narcotics.
Being 43 years old, with a college degree, and unable to find a job for several years at a time or being hired and then told at anytime that you dont qualify to be employed at the company because you have a felony conviction from 1992 on your record is a very humbling experience.
Also, due to many years of unemployment having to move from place to place, living month to month in small one room efficiencies and boarding houses, with no privacy is also a very humiliating experience.
This is something that most individuals would never overcome without the help of a community, friends, loved ones, non profit organizations, or a christian church. But this is exactly what has happened to Mya, a resident for fourteen yearsr and whose name has been fabricated to protect her identity.
Notonmyown
hi,
that is very sad to read, you don’t seem to have a way to get away from those criminals,
is there a SALVATION ARMY AROUND YOU?
THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND YOU A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE AND PARK YOUR CAR,
or a CHRISTIAN PARISH MINISTER WHO CAN MORE THAN YOU FIND A ROOM IN A DECENT HOUSE EVE TEMPORARY,
because you’re not safe there, you are in danger of a frame up or a beating, anything in between,
you are working you say, so try to move out of there as soon as you can,
avoid those criminals,
you paid for your felony, 13 years, so this is your first priority to search for a room,
even small as long as it’s not a same as you have,
otherwise you will be blending with them to the eyes of the neighbors, and one of them will have you go back in prison just for living there,
do it as fast as you can even if you have to skip a couple of meals with the cost, and come back to tell us more,
you need that peace now so to be feeling free from them, try to seek help to find that place,
then you you will advance your life to a better road,
take care and don’t forget to ask GOD FOR HELP, TALK TO HIM,
HE IS A FATHER OF AMERICA SINCE 2 CENTURY, AND STAND TALL BECAUSE YOU ARE AN AMERICAN,
WHO NEVER GIVE UP CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN,
get back with us,
Dear Citizens of America,
I’m writting to you because we first get our freedoms, from God, and not the corrupt system we call government. The reason for my rant is that if you belong to a group you get special privledges. If you are an illegal immigrant you break the law and you are a criminal, yet they will get amnesty and all of their past erased. If you are gay you can get married you break the sodomy laws and nothing will happen because you are a protected group. If you were a draft dodger you got your amnesty. You can kill your unborn baby and not one charge against you because you are a woman and it’s your body. Prostitution is illegal and that is a woman’s body, yet it’s illegal because the government doesn’t get a cut of the money. Yet you see porn on the internet and they get paid for sex and no one goes to jail. If you are caught with pot which grows naturally (It’s your body defense) you are tagged for life. I say no amnesty for non citizens until you give it to our citizens first. Write your legislators, and change the law. No criminal records for those who have been clean for 5 or 10 years, it’s only right. Equal justice for all I say. I’m sorry for my rant but I see everyone getting special privledges (For breaking the Law) while those who made one small mistake pay for it the rest of their lives. There is a two tiered system of justice one for the groups, and the eleits, and the unequal justice to the rest of us.
Chill
thank you for reminding THE PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS,
YOU SURE VISIT FOR GOOD REASON,
AND OBAMA WANT ILLEGALS TO STAY AND HE WANT TO LEGITIMIZE THEM
IN FRONT OF CLOSE TO THE 100 THOUSANDS FELONS WHO PAID FOR THEIR TRANSGRESSION AND ,AFTER YEARS OF SEARCHING FOR A SUPPOSE NEW LIFE, ARE REJECTED AND
FIND THEMSELVES IN THE BACK OF THE LINE BEHIND ALL OTHER,
THIS IS NOT RIGHT, AND UNFAIR FOR imposing AMERICANS THE ILLEGALS,
WHEN THERE IS ALREADY NO JOBS FOR THE TRUE AMERICANS,
THERE IS ALREADY TO MANY PEOPLE IN AMERICA WITH THE MANY MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS,
AND THE LEADERS OPEN WIDE THE BORDERS INSTEAD OF PUBLICLY BANNING ANY ILLEGALS
AND SEND THEM BACK TO WAIT FOR THE LEGAL PAPERS TO IMMIGRATE,
AND THE COUNTRY is in peril because of that DANGEROUS HUMAN TIDE COMING ,
TO TAKE THE PLACE OF AMERICANS,
ANOTHER UN-AMERICAN LAW FROM OBAMA,
HE IS A FOREIGNER, HE DOESN’T THINK AMERICAN AND HE LEAD A GROUP OF MUTE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE TOO SCARE TO TALK OR TOO CORRUPT TO EXPOSE IT,
THANK YOU FOR COMING
@chill
What an interesting observation between porn and prostitution. This is the first time I’ve seen it from this angle. Hmmmm?
@heartbroken:
I want to know if you have gotten anywhere with Congress concerning a bill or maybe even a senator? Do you happen to know what the name of a bill or act that was going to be presented in 2001. It was suppose to assist convicted felons that had rehabilitated themselves, served time and had not convicted another crime have their records not accessible or sealed so that they could obtain gainful employment and take care of themselves and their family. This never went in front of congress because of 9/11 and homeland security.
I too am a convicted felon, I was 17 years old and legally an adult in the state that I committed my crime. It has been 15 years and even tough I am employed, I cannot get a ‘Good” job. I have a college degree and have not committed another crime, completed my probation successfully and the state that I live has no laws regarding how many years an employer can go back when conducting a criminal background check, we also do not have Ban the Box Act so employers here will not even give you a chance. We need something that backs us regarding our past, because sometimes, sealed records and expungments or presidential/Governor pardons do not assist us.
@heartbroken: I am the original writer of this article. It was posted over 3 years ago, and a lot of people have taken what I meant out of context; but as I look at it now I can see why they do. The article seems a lot harsher than I intended it to be. I really wish I could rewrite it, but at least it has sparked some great discussion.
Anyways, I wanted to let you and others in your situation know that a colleague and I are currently creating a website that is a job board specifically for convicted felons. We have gone door-to-door and found over 50 local businesses that are willing to hire felons and post job offers on our site. We would like to go national, but we have not quite worked out all of the details about how to find felon-friendly employers nationwide. We already have a development site online and plan to launch sometime early next year (I do this in my spare time, so it is taking longer than usual). I will send you the URL once it is live. Hopefully it can be of some help to you and all felons.
On a side note, I am a web developer and I could always use a good copywriter. So if you are looking for any side work let me know. I am also looking for a good designer if any are out there.
Take Care,
Sean
@Sean:
Sean,
Yes please do let me know when you get the website up and running. I do have a list of companies that hire felons, once I get home, I will make sure to send it to you. I currently have a friend that is trying to start a business such as your website in the Tampa Bay Area and if she does I can definitely have her include your sitel she is waiting for some grants etc. I also know that in the state of Florida probation offices post jobs that hire criminals, if you could some how link up with or contact their IT department to see if they could post the jobs on your site, you just may have luck going national. If I hear of anything or come up with anything I will be sure to let you know. I am currently trying to get in contact with my local Senator to see if may support a bill to be presented to congress. I would also like to discuss the copy writing opportunity with you as I am currently back in school taking some classes for advertising, marketing, social media, SEM SEO etc and am interested.
Sean
nice of you to come with such good news,
your POST HAS BEEN VERY BUSY, DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONTEXT,
YOU HAVE DRAWN HOW MANY FELONS TO TALK OF THEIR SITUATION,
THERE WAS NO OTHER POSTS ONLY YOUR’ES
HERE YOU DID NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND THIS TIME YOU BRING HOPE FOR THEM,
THANK YOU,
Jennifer
thank you also for participate in our wish of sometimes,
you sure will make a difference also,
both of you Sean and you Jennifer,
have succeeded to make me cry,
I see a light not too far for theses fine AMERICANS TO KEEP HOPING FOR A CHANGE
TO THEIR SITUATION, ALL MUST BE OPEN MIND AND TAKE THIS OFFER VERY SERIOUSLY AND BE WILLING TO BRING EACH THEIR KNOW HOW,
Sean ,you create this post 3 years ago, and like a tree it has grown to now have fruits coming from it,
I trust you to what you now are trying to do, just lead the way,
and keep us in the know,
bye
It great that everything worked out for you in the end, however, every ex felon or drug addict has not had such luck. I am a single mother of two little girls and also a convicted felon (ten year old charge) I recently recieved an associates degree in business and currently working on my bachlors. I finally got a decent job and was laid off, I then was offered another job and after my background the offer was revoked,( a slap in the face) I’ve been depressed every since, not giving up but just seems like I will always be judged for my past. So if there are programs that offer assistance to those in need it will be greatly appreciated because you never know when you may need it.
@Jennifer: I haven’t forgotten about you. Please bear with me, I am slammed at work with some really tight deadlines. I will create a new email and post it here, didn’t want to post my normal one since it has my first and last name in it. I will get back to you soon, so we can discuss the copywriting ventures (and possibly some SEO work), and maybe talk a bit more about getting jobs on the Felons Job Board. Again, I am very sorry for the delay.
Take Care,
Sean
@Tisha:
Tisha,
Just remember something, you are forgiven. Jesus paid the price and the government can’t take that away from you. Just remember how important you really are. Two criminals were on a cross next to Jesus his last hours on earth. So it appearently God thought enough of those criminals to let Jesus spend his last moments on earth with them. Don’t sell yourself short. If God wants you to be something no criminal record will prevent that from happening. I always say you can be legally pure but morally rotten. God will open doors that the system trys to shut. Keep the faith, Jesus really does love you.
To all you negative people. I was convicted of 4 felonies over the course of 8 years and battled with drug addiction as well. Upon my release from prison I decided to go to college and sober up after a 5 year term of incarceration. I’m currently a student at one of the top 5 universities in the united states. I have an overall GPA of a 3.59 and have received 6 consecutive academic scholarships. YES, ex-felons deserve a second chance if they prove themselves worthy. If society chooses not to give ex-felons a way out their only option is to keep being criminals. There is hope as long as society can forgive.
Ian Victory
so proud of you, thank’s for coming here to tell us all,
you are giving an boost to other who are so overwhelmed by what their fall has brought to them,
which is a human normality behavior, when things are down, as long as it is not prolong to long,
and what you did is to be copied, by them after the time of mourning for a previous life, they will find a new life with a brighter light to lead the right way to the future,
best to you,
and you can lead other by example as you succeeded to advance no matter the odds,
Hi guys,
@Sean thanks for dropping by your post and providing some insight to where you’re at today. Articulating one’s thoughts into words is no easy feat. It is easy however, to pick holes in what other people write and there is surely nothing wrong with disagreement or debate. I think your post is great because everyone has a story to tell and we all see ‘things’ from our own unique perspectives and you simply gave your ‘2 cents’. What stands out even more, is when an individual is willing to revisit his or her own thoughts and weigh it against feedback from others. In my opinion, that’s a sign of good, civil character. That Sean is what you did and I commend you for it. The willingness to reason is crucial to society, separating savage behavior from civil.
That being said, I think people in general (even felons) have a somewhat distorted view of people with a felony record or any record for that fact. The distortion comes from the statement that “If somebody with a felony doesn’t get a job, then their only choice is to RETURN TO A LIFE OF CRIME.” as Ian said in the previous post. (BTW you’re doing great!) Personally, I certainly wasn’t making any sort of living from what I was arrest for. 3 felonies for possession of cocaine, marijuana, stealing my dads car (with keys) when I was homeless. He didn’t want to press charges but cops convinced him to, which probably saved my life from an OD. I wonder how many felons are in that position , where they weren’t making a living from stealing. They simply caught caught and convicted doing something which is against the law, like a Doctor who get 3 DUI’s and is now a felon. To what life of crime does he return?
Here you go, Amnesty for non citizens while you criminals get none. What a rotten world we live in.
http://www.ijreview.com/2013/10/84997-barrack-obamas-park-service-oks-amnesty-rally-shut-national-mall/
I’m just saying.
Here you go, non citizens get Amnesty while we the people can’t get amnesty. Go figure.
http://www.ijreview.com/2013/10/84997-barrack-obamas-park-service-oks-amnesty-rally-shut-national-mall/
im 29 I cant get a job no where im just about homeless I need help I but lock up one time