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
I received this by Email…thought it was interesting enough for this debate on morality.
And Finally, can you imagine working for a company that has a
little more than 500 employees and has the following statistics:
* 29 have been accused of spousal abuse
* 7 have been arrested for fraud
* 19 have been accused of writing bad checks
* 117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2
businesses
* 3 have done time for assault
* 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
* 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
* 8 have been arrested for shoplifting
* 21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
* 84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year…
Can you guess which organization this is?
Give up yet?
It’s the 535 members of the United States Congress.
The same group that crank out hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep Americans in line
Kid in college
oh wow that is a biggy, need to circulate in every POSTS,
and they refuse to hire FELON hey,
that make me mad enough to wipe their nose with this comment,
thank you,
you won’t mind if I use some of it or all, I would keep your name on it if you want,
it’s too good to leave it only here to sleep.
bye
There are some felons that have been incarcerated and realize their mistakes and want to now become a
productive member of society. there are some felonies eg. pedophilia. rapists, murderers,armed robbery,child molesters. terrorist activities and these felonies no. denying these felons rights will only serve to create repeat felons some of them will become a danger to society due to the lack of employment,no available access to food or lodging . The have nots will eventually take from the haves. the prison system is already overcrowded, why not use some of that money to assist inmates with some training and job placement this would help alleviate some of these repeat offenders . yes some do deserve a second chance.
You are so right, If a felon is released and cannot find a job to support himself and his family than he or she may go back to what they did before, some felons don’t have the support of family and with out a job what are they to do, Employers need to give these men and woman who are trying to make a positive change a chance and not look at the box that ask if you are a felon or not, a person with a family just can’t make it working at a fast food place,although it is better than notthing, ex-felons need to stand together and make a change in the Federal Employment Law’s where they don’t have to wear the label of ex-felon after they have served there time.
Right on Proctor. The government is worse than criminals because they steal from us. Yet when we want to work and support a family there these people are bring up something from decades ago waving our past failures in our face saying you’re not good enough. Well I won’t put up with it. God forgave me 2000 years ago. And who are they to wave a criminal record in our face? Illegal immigrants break the law yet will get immunity for doing so, and they aren’t even citizens. We what about us citizens who broke the law once? We don’t get immunity like foreigners get!! There is a classic example of injustice.
@Procter:
You all are a bunch of whiney asses. How about Marc Schiller? He spent two years in federal prison for tax fraud and he has worked as an accountant before the crime and ever since. Read his book on Amazon “Pain and Gain.” And stop whining. It’s fucking annoying.
Positive Thinker
you’re the stupid ass
get lost
thats right positive thinker your the one thats annoying, try spending 19 years in federal prison and see what song you sing afterwards.
J.Espinosa
yes , they should put him there, lets see if he would call everyone an ass
and survive,
PositiveThinker,
Is that true? Did that Marc Schiller really do accounting afterwards? I saw his LinkedIn account and there aren’t any lapses in employment. A book listed as “Pain and Gain” is on there. I guess he could have a profile with false information. I see that he worked for some attorney and traded stocks for approximately two years while he was sentenced to two years for medicare fraud.
SOMEBODY HELP ME, PLEASE
Sean,
First congratulations on your achievements and successes. Good job!
Frankly, I believe your statements to be asinine and selfish. Not all felons are created equal. Have you done your research on issues in regards to the reentry population? i.e. mental health, s/a, homelessness, etc. Again, not all felons are created equal. This is about recidivism and making communities safer by keeping the 60% ( 4 in 10) from returning to the life of crime and/or prison–which would end up costing taxpayers money anyway in lost/damaged property, etc., having to file insurance claims which would lead to increase premiums and more and more. Not all felons have the ability to look forward with a positive outlook on life. Some may have not had good mentors. The list could go on. I, myself, am a felon times 2 plus ex drug user. I have a high IQ and dedication, integrity, motivation, and commitment to succeed, however, two months after my 18th birthday I made a life long costly mistaken (that could’ve and should’ve been decreased in charges) BUT i have FELON stamped on my forehead still at the age of 33. 15 years later I still am living the consequences of two months after I turned 18.
I have many materialistic achievements as well, and a college education, and in the last 5 years I have received 3 promotions, 2 employee of the months, and an Employee of the Year Award but the bottom line is it’s time for me to either A: move to an Executive Level now (and no openings are coming available, or B:) move on BUT Fidelity Bonding is getting in the way of me being hired with several companies.
I didn’t have to serve prison time so I don’t know what it is like first hand but I know that we should be fighting together to help each other achieve as opposed to claiming that ALL felons are lazy, many will be, but there are more than ‘just many’ that need some help. Technically if you really look at the BIG picture, while you were in prison studying your books, somebody on the outside was paying taxes that was feeding you, providing water for showers and the lights.
For anyone that may find this useful and I hope it does:
http://www.bonds4jobs.com
Research, Research, Research all you FELONS. The more you know regarding our “FELONY STATUS” per your state and the laws and being expunged, the better chance at success and more useful it may be for you.
BEST OF LUCK ALL YOU ETHICAL HUMANS.
Hi, my name is Brittany, I am 20 years old, top 25 of my senior class, most volunteer hours, college student and a convicted felon. I am convicted to be put out to be something I am not, I was set up and now I understand that you cant trust anybody and sometimes it happens to best of us but why should I have to suffer for the rest of my life.? Here I am a competitive cheerleader who excelled in school and helping the community and I cant even find a job or money to even raise to pay for food. SO absolutely felons to an extent deserve a second chance.
People who are not in this situation or always had mommy and daddy to help them , don’t understand what the struggle is. !!!
&I hope you find jesus, and learn not to condemn when you have no idea what the situation is.
Your gone by the greed of money and I know its hard without but give your life to god and stop feeling the need to judge or condemn everyone because you are scared for the loss of your bank!!
Brittany jade
hi,
I think you must be very young, YES?
because that is the time when young people get in trouble, it’s like that for many,
I hope this spring will bring you a job to get you started, that ‘s the hardest time, but once you find something you start to walk into recovery,
any job to begin this walk will do, and it might not be what you expect, but it will give you an open door,
so many of you are gifted and finish your study and need the job accordingly,
but your expectation are to be lower than you would like, so to start,
you have this spring now which might help you to find something better than in winter,
that is an advantage for you,
and the trick is not to give up, and not to let desperation fill your mind, these times are difficult for all who search to find a job, it mean that you’re not the only one,
just think that some are in a worse position than you,
some are physically unable to find a job, and you could be surprise to find them working,
it make you think, why not me, I’m in a better fit and I should have that job,
life is like that, and we are finding that we still learn beyond all that we did before,
mostly when we really need to find a job,
those are lessons of another caliber called growing up, just when we think we got it all,
so to be first in line, some negative draw us behind, but it’s only temporary,
if we keep hoping , and pushing and not let negative thinking beat us,
I wish you the best which is not always what we expected, that is life surprises at the end of the road,
don’t give up never, you need your positive thinking as a first priority, it will be the strength
which will sustain you all along,
best to you. and take care of yourself while you search,
yes it’s difficult but not impossible, nothing is impossible,
@Brittany jade:
Right on Brittany, After seeing what people become after they are convicted amazes me. I am a Christian and I am a leader because God put me there. The world and the government dosen’t forgive. So we need to say to ourselves don’t let one incident in life define who you are. You are a child of the king. Amazing Grace is the song I sing. I would hire a criminal anyday especially a repentant one because they work harder than most. They have something to prove. I don’t get my forgiveness from government but from Jesus. Also this government wants give illegals amnisty but will continue to punish and hold over the heads of repentant criminals thier past. We are citizens we don’t get a second chance, but the illegals will get thier second chance. Where’s the justice?
Hi there everybody, here every one is sharing these know-how, therefore it’s nice to read this website, and I used to visit this website daily.
Savannah
we are here reading you also,, you are the 518 ieme, and we are not done yet,
stick with us and take care,
this goes for all the good PEOPLE who came here to tell,
you did the best thing to unload a sadness, and we all are proud of you here.
@stillconvicted…I appreciate your comment. I have been convicted of 3 felonies which in hindsight were a direct result of my addictive nature. It all began since the first time I drank beer at age 18, where immediately after I began making bad decisions and rolling downhill. One of my convictions is for stealing my dads car, which ironically, I know own. At that time, my family gave up on me because of my ‘out-of-control’ addiction. When my dad when out of town, I took his spare car keys and upon his return, took his car during his night. Eventually, I was so gone, I pulled up next to a police car in a park where I was looking to use more drugs. They called my dad on his cell phone and when asked if he wanted to press charges, he said ‘no’. When he got there the officers spoke to him and as a result he changed his mind (which probably saved my life from overdosing). Anyways, the plan was to get me into rehab, but since I was homeless, moved to another town and failed to show up to court, I was found guilty and convicted. My father has since written a letter to the state of Florida stating he doesn’t want me charged for this, but to no avail. After that I had to more arrests for drug possessions which pursued for trial by the state since I already had a conviction on record.
The point is, my convictions were crimes against my family and myself, which they have since long forgiven me and see the obvious change and now trust me again. One day I realized that ‘Oh my Gosh..I’m an addict and I had a serious problem, no wonder everything I touched turned to crap’. I got help the next day and ever since, t’s like someone turned a light on in my life. I lived in my community for 35 years and can’t even volunteer at my daughters school across the street where all the staff knows me and my entire family, including her teachers who I went to school with. It’s sad that even though people trust me, there’s a system (non-human element) which instructs us (humans) that a person is fit or not fit for a particular duty….and jails/prisons are rapidly moving towards private sector business, which mean they need bodies to fill the cells. So, yes they will lobby laws which will contribute to more people being labeled as criminals thus rejected from society (literally) saying go and die or you can come live in my jail if it gets to difficult out there.
@stillconvicted @ILOVEBEESWARZONE, thanks for spreading positive insight and even providing helpful information. I’m in school and keeping a positive mind is key! The only choice is to go forward in a positive path. The alternative is to give up and take the jail offer.
Interesting Note:
A locksmith once said “Locks are made to keep honest people from stealing”. In other words, a study found that the vast MAJORITY of ALL people (especially in large cities) will steal from their employer, if given an opportunity to do so WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT!
I worked as a cook at two major restaurant chains for a total of 4 years. During that time, I have seen 3 general managers fired for stealing large amounts of money and/or selling food under-the-table and heard of 10’s of more similar situations. I was amazed to find that these companies/employers, the same that do not want to hire felons, DO NOT press charges against these mangers, thus sending them back into the work field AS MANAGERS! It’s a well known business etiquette that takes place in the white collar corporate world in business everywhere. Often these (criminals) are even forced to resign, rather than fired. The message seems to be; get in the door first, then you’re free to commit all the crime you want with a suit on. “The greater the crime and it’s harm to society, the more it is respected and often glorified and less the punishment” AKA corporate crime. Look up the laws. It’s crazy!
Jesus put it best “There’s not one that is good; Only God alone is”
isthatme
hi,
18 is a dangerous age is in it? and if we pass that age without any SIN, were okay,
your FATHER and MOTHER save you by not giving up on you, when you thought they where,
they just where giving you more time and you had the POLICE INTELLIGENCE
who help on saving your life,
how lucky you are, you had love, and I read that you still found a love to have children,
I read your story, I cried and progressively change to joy feeling that you came out of it,
the drug is hurting the young and they are the one who party on it,
it’s an evil circle they encounter,
not all have the support of the family and end up alone and shivering in the cold night so sad
the only support is the drug for them and they are caught like a fish on the line,
how many 18teens or younger or older, won’t make it all with their sanity?
is in it too available? is in it a must for any party? and anybody know someone clandestine who sell it,
yes, the youth are target from all sides, and if they don’t have snoopy parents caring enough to spare them the ultimate day of being caught, it’s a situation where the road ahead is rocky and for longer
than we would like,
we don’t have to get on that road, we must like our friends but refuse their gift of drug
they give with a smile, or alcohol also, at 18 any of those is bad on the brain,
just like a knock on the head with a baseball bat right.
thank you for giving us your story of redemption after walking with the DEVIL for a while too long.
it will help other young to say to their group: MY FRIEND NO THANK YOU I DON”T TOUCH THE STUFF,
he will look stunt he won’t understand why not, but you will, and you are the most important person
in that party.
best to you. yes thank you JESUS
Happy your life went so right. Mine was for 20 years until now. I can only speak for myself. I was living life to its fullest. Not anymore. I’m experiencing not having a job because of a violent background. Life sucks. Now I’m losing my house, no food, nice car sitting no money for gas. Family has turned deaf ear. Hating america. Non-violent crimes do have a much better chance. Thanks for reading.
@shelly clarke
….my life went so right? My current status is I am a 6’4″ Black male, with 3 felony convictions, my last name is Mohamed and I’m not even Muslim (back in Africa my dads Grand father’s village was raided and everyone had to change their name or die) I have no job, don’t speak spanish and I live in Miami (Spanish is almost a must, even white collar jobs). Believe me, here people fight over a job at McDonald’s. The primary language in blue collar jobs is spanish only (Don’t get me wrong, I understand a lot of spanish and get along with everyone! Most of my friends are latin and every girl I dated) I have to admit, God alone has sustained me; Provided food, money and shelter, right when I needed it. Even my first day of being homeless some years ago, as I lingered in an apartment building around 10 PM about to use drugs by a tree, someone came outside their apartment. To play it off I pretended as if I was calling a cat down from the tree. It was dark, and through a speck of light, I realized the person who came out was an old friend, someone I haven’t seen in about 11-12 years. He let me sleep in his car, because he lived with his mom.
You mentioned non violent crimes have a lot better chance. I’m trying to think of a situation where someone would look at my record and yours and say, I’ll take the guy with the 3 non violent felony convictions. We’re all lobbed into the same category. FELONS…and you’re right, it SUCKS.
I am thankful to have a roof over my head with my mom and my 2 kids stay with me 80% of the time. I don’t know what I’m going to do for money and I try not to think about it. It can drive you crazy. I hate the person I was, I can’t evern relate to the person I was when I made those decisions.
I’m not sure what you did or how long ago. I would suggest toning back on the external hate (I know how you feel), however it will not do us any good. Next and final, I would suggest praying (asking God for help) and just do your best and keep going. My first semester back in school I got the highest A in my accounting class and A in Management class and I don’ t think about even if I get the highest grade in all of Harvard (I don’t actually go to Harvard) companies still would likely not hire me.
Keep your head as straight as you can. Pray, and don’t let them break you. Don’t break your hope. Pretend, Imagine, Fantasize, Dream as a kid would, lie to yourself if you have to, that there is a way out. That’s what I do and that’s all I got. 33
@shelly clarke
….my life went so right? My current status is I am a 6’4″ Black male, with 3 felony convictions, my last name is Mohamed and I’m not even Muslim (back in Africa my dads Grand father’s village was raided and everyone had to change their name or die) I have no job, don’t speak spanish and I live in Miami (Spanish is almost a must, even white collar jobs). Believe me, here people fight over a job at McDonald’s. The primary language in blue collar jobs is spanish only (Don’t get me wrong, I understand a lot of spanish and get along with everyone! Most of my friends are latin and every girl I dated) I have to admit, God alone has sustained me; Provided food, money and shelter, right when I needed it. Even my first day of being homeless some years ago, as I lingered in an apartment building around 10 PM about to use drugs by a tree, someone came outside their apartment. To play it off I pretended as if I was calling a cat down from the tree. It was dark, and through a speck of light, I realized the person who came out was an old friend, someone I haven’t seen in about 11-12 years. He let me sleep in his car, because he lived with his mom.
You mentioned non violent crimes have a lot better chance. I’m trying to think of a situation where someone would look at my record and yours and say, I’ll take the guy with the 3 non violent felony convictions. We’re all lobbed into the same category. FELONS…and you’re right, it SUCKS.
I am thankful to have a roof over my head with my mom and my 2 kids stay with me 80% of the time. I don’t know what I’m going to do for money and I try not to think about it. It can drive you crazy. I hate the person I was, I can’t evern relate to the person I was when I made those decisions.
I’m not sure what you did or how long ago. I would suggest toning back on the external hate (I know how you feel), however it will not do us any good. Next and final, I would suggest praying (asking God for help) and just do your best and keep going. My first semester back in school I got the highest A in my accounting class and A in Management class and I don’ t think about even if I get the highest grade in all of Harvard (I don’t actually go to Harvard) companies still would likely not hire me.
Keep your head as straight as you can. Pray, and don’t let them break you. Don’t break your hope. Pretend, Imagine, Fantasize, Dream as a kid would, lie to yourself if you have to, that there is a way out. That’s what I do and that’s all I got. 33.3
shelly clarke
hi, it’s good to hear one who went to that road and kept a strong SPIRIT,
even able to transmit his advices on how he refuse to despair,
just like isthatme did above, that is a good way to get you out of your inner self,
you hear another of theses hundreds of stories, and you must think
oh well mine is worse than your story,I don’t agree on that thinking , pain is pain,
your pain is not as painful as mine you think? BUT IT IS the same pain for everybody here,
we cannot change the past so let it rest in his cyberspace, and you are a new person ,
opening his eyes to a new life, you are a baby trying to stand up and walk like before you fell
the old life still hangning on you inside your gutts, no you won’t walk like before,
but GEEZ it’s hard to try a new way of walking, YOU don’t know which way to choose,
okay fair enough, you can try any way except the old way,
you are A PROUD AMERICAN you can pray GOD, you can smile, you can visit a WOUNDED WARRIOR,
and your smile at him and look at his own smile, you now got yourself a very precious gift
and that is from one who know what PAIN IS, and you come out on another level,
that is in upper plan which you never thought that you would have that feeling before,
the gift of giving is handed to you and your life is turn from your YOU to the other,
any other who pass on my road, you will find some thing to give, even if it’s a smile.
and one day you return to yourself and find yourself walking straight and proud to be yourself,
best to you.
Take it from someone like me… I am in my late 40’s. I have been a respectable member of society my entire life. I am college educated, work related ecxperience is outstanding, I even graduated as summa cum laude in college. I have never had a traffic violation and I have been driving since i am 17! But the feds said that i committed a crime. If you know anything about the feds than you know there is no fighting it, you are automatically guilty and have to plea. You are strikened of all your possessions, all your hard earned money and they intrude into your personal life etc. I lost it all for a white collar crime i never committed. Irrelevent at this point now. I did a yr in fed prison camp and now home over 8 months and i am telling you it is impossible for me to get a job. It has nothing to do with my established career, i’ll take anything at this point, which is terrible because i am educated and experienced… but i am a female, and this limits you even further. This has got to be the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. I thought going through the court case was difficult, having everything taken away and no way to support myself and then prison, and i asure you i am not prison like…ah far from it. Upper middle class white woman from the suburbs that drives a BMW and lived in a 5800 sq ft home. Anyway, they said i did it couldnt fight it cause they took all my money before i was even indicted or plead. Public defeneder LOLOLO what a joke… off to prison. I paid my debt to society for a white collar crime i never committed and now i serve more time in society because ia m not allowed to work or make a living. I sent out over 560 resumes to date- and had plenty of interviews, filled out 100’s of applications but it always come back to the same thing- i checked the box, i was honest, background check couldn’t pass… and still no employment. I am not eligiable for asst in any way in NJ, no health or housing LOL… and so i live with friends… nut i am not really living, i am existing, this is not life. i am heart boken and have ran into a dead end with no alternatives.
this is why people go back to crime, to the streets or violate becaue they have no means to support themselves or their families. It’s even worse for me because i know nothing about crime or the streets to even be able to violate or do something illegal… i’m trapped. It’s hopeless.
@heartbroken I think we all came the point where we realized our situation and saw IT IS a ‘hard pill to swallow’, so we searched the internet to (really) find if we were the only ones going through this. I’m sure we all heard the saying “It ain’t over, til it’s over”.
You say you’re a upper-middle class white woman? What was your career? I ask because perhaps you can make the difference. I ‘invented’ a new bib. I was in San Diego, CA in April for the Response Expo 2013 and basically met the people who do all the informercials we see on TV and a bunch of great people I still keep in touch with. Out of thousands of people I was 1 out of 2 blacks (African Americans) which is okay with me because fortunately my parents were educated (Dad with PH.D) and I grew up in suburbs my mom also knowing / working with leaders in the community, so I am comfortable in my own skin and can mingle with any class of person, able to hold intelligent conversation. I even received a response to appear on ABC’s Shark Tank a couple weeks ago, but guess what? Out of the 27 page form, the first 5 main criteria on the first page, is that you can’t be a felon! That’s what really got me pissed and eventually led me to this site.
I have patents, website, social media, manufacturing, etc… in place ready to get this thing public. If your willing and capable, for sure, your upper middle class, white woman, BMW driving profile can help the product navigate the industry. Your image fits the social circles (just a fact of life). I came out on ABC and CBS news in San Diego, have pics with TV pitchman Marc Gill, the email from Shark Tank and the whole nine yards. I’m serious. Yeah we have felonies, that ship & person sailed a while ago. But damn it, we can and I will succeed. Think about it. Lie in bed (couch), stare at ceiling, be quiet and think about.
I am a writer, a copywriter. I am no longer an upper middle class anything… no BMW, I struggle to eat on a daily basis… no one will help and no one will listen, even fellow writers will not hear me out. I was hung in the court of public opinion and my reputation which was once great is now so ruined, I’m ashamed to even use my name. I have a website, FB page, linked In etc… but business as a freelancer is hard to get. I am currently writing to every member of the congress, the senate, etc. until i get just one person to listen and try to change the laws concerning felons, hiring practices, discrimination and second chances. A new bill, a new law, a new something because being punished after being punished, yea the punishment definitely does not fit the crime, or lack there of.
It’s like looking for a needle in a hay stack, that one person who is willing to give me a break, that ignores background checks and google posts and sees beyond all the negative and sees me for who I am and I am way more than a felon. very sad…
@heartbroken
LOL,,, don’t mean to laugh, but when you mentioned ashamed to use your name, I can totally relate. My name is spelled so uniquely that I’m the only person who has it (at least online). So, when my entire name is googled, Bam, there it is my mug shot and my arrest information from those scumbag websites (who convince themselves they’re doing a public service).
If you haven’t done so already, go to freelancer.com and set yourself up as a freelance writer (can also do odesk.com) so I can hire you. I’ll explain in a second. Because of my name & record, I get so uncomfortable when making business contacts in fear that people will google it, which they likely will. Anyways, a strong offense is the best defense. I’m not letting my record and these websites tell my story and set my name in negative. The plan?….I’m telling my story exactly how it happened, up front, sharing the experience and sharing the me that is now, which is positive and true…..and you’re going to write it. (If a car used to be blue and it’s painted pink, why tell everyone it’s a blue car? That’s what those websites are doing) I’m going to hire you. It’s not much, but it’s something, and I will give you permission to use me in your petition to our reps. as an example of the valuable resources the felon label can limit. I’m related to a famous former NBA player, my first court judge was Judge Alex before he had his TV show, my “grandparents” were blond haired blue eyed folks from Norway and there’s more that will make it interesting…let’s get your spirit up at least one notch. If you can write, you’re going to do this. I know it seems hopeless, but it ain’t over. Read the colonel Sanders story from Kentucky Fried Chicken if you haven’t already. So there you have it. I’M GIVING YOU (us) a chance at SOMETHING. I just created an email…felonnomore@yahoo.com. Email me if you want to move forward and write my story (nothing long) just do your writer magic ….and we’ll get started by first getting acquainted with each other’s story. How’s that sound?
there is a good group of educated persons here,
why not try to make the gifts of each one profit and change it in a payroll,
is that me , you are a creator from what you say,
Shelly Clarke, and heartbroken, you are well educated, and all the other here,
we can communicate and tell our aspiration of work place, what and where would make us earn a living,
and from there we open a magic hidden door, and the light bulbs are on to shine ideas, places and times,
other join in and we find here all the skills to run a COMPANY, only felon wanted,
some buy only our products we buy their products we profit they profit,
and a new company open as needs arise,
now, how do we start that first in the cyber space, until we get confortable with each other,
who will take over from me to expand to a feaseble rolling money making COMPANY,
carry on ,take it slow on your time, except your thoughts must focus on what I expose to you all.
give us comments to debates,
Sure I have the skills to run a company, I have ran many… but I do not have a business for the internet to hire felons, I wish I did, I’d employ myself. Nor do I have the money to start one. It takes money, money I don’t have anymore. Businesses and webistes just don’t appear, they take money and time to build, to design and all of that is not free.
heartbroken
I agree but while you are expressing it , you already made the first positive step,
yes you said it’s possible to do,
expand on it, make it look a real living project that is one to dwell in
in minute details, remember you are not alone, here, other will debate in a constructive way,
time is of thought search for all.
no giving up on this one, stick with it. create in your mind,
the concrete come after the mental design.
one day you will be so surprise to have climed the MOUNTAIN. without falling,
bye
I agree with ilovebeeswarzone. A business takes money right? Well, let’s take a closer look. What exactly does the money do? Aside the required fees per the business like government (ie licensing, etc). All the other money is for labor/work. In other words all it takes is people with vision and commitment. That’s it. Heartbroken, believe me(us), we know exactly how you’re feeling and thinking, that’s what leads everyone to this post. Take Facebook for example. With the ‘it takes money thinking” you’re viewing Facebook as the billion dollar company it is; the cost buildings, insurance, attorneys, employees, etc…” The following is from an article found at techcruch.com regarding an article on Facebook start up:
At Startup School today in the Memorial Auditorium at Stanford University, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke to Y Combinator founder Paul Graham about the early days of Facebook. He revealed that, early on, the team did not intend for the TheFacebook.com (as it was called) to become a business.
In fact, being at Harvard and all, Facebook had no cash to run the business and operated it for the first few months for $85/month, which was the cost of renting one server. Facebook’s first server.
In fact, being at Harvard and all, Facebook had no cash to run the business and operated it for the first few months for $85/month, which was the cost of renting one server. Facebook’s first server.
But how did Facebook support its early operations and pay for these wildly expensive servers? Banner ads! Yes, banner ads. As Zuck mentioned in the interview, it was (co-founder) Eduardo Saverin’s job early on to find ads for Facebook to use, as AdSense had just been released, for example. TheFacebook.com had a network of banner ads, but as Zuck implies, they really weren’t making any money. Just enough to pay for those $85 servers.
Me personally, about once a month I take time to b***h, moan, complain and sulk about my felon status and how I deserve this and that. Then I get my game face/mind back on and look for ways.
If we/you put in the work, as you know, there are people with money, where all they do is look for places to spend (invest) it. I read somewhere that “excuses are the primary cause of failure 99% of the time and 99% of people are susceptible to excuses. From diets to business.
That’s ridiculous, sorry but it is. This isn’t an excuse and I’m not face book. I am all over the internet I have a site, twitter, LinkedIn, and on an on an on. I don’t sit idle EVER! All I do is work to better myself. I am the hardest working unemployed person there is and I never stop. YOU NEED MONEY TO START A BUSINESS! THATS A FACT! It’s way more than $85 LOL.. I know I start them for others that’s what I do. You’re being unrealistc…go ahead start one with ZERO cash in 2013, let me know how far you get. Do you know how to build website? Cause I don’t I know how to write one. and all those FREE website sites, yeaaaa that nonsense, you get what you pay for. So before you start making accusations about me “making excuses” look in your own backyard and let me know what you come up with.
What can you tell someone that’s trying to convince everyone that they are doomed? You’re fighting EVERYONE and ANYTHING. (and not reading/comprehending what was written) I’m not accusing you of anything. It’s just a fact. I make excuses everyday, especially concerning my felonies and I did in my first post here as well. So there, I make excuses. I was like that before, I understand. I’m trying to motivate you here. I did’t write that excerpt. It’s a FACT that Facebook started with $85 a month for a server, then paypal eventually invested 500,000 Mark Zuckerberg addressed a school with that exact info. Here’s the link
If you find FACTS that say otherwise, please share with us how unrealistic Mark Zuckerberg is.
Go to kickstarter.com. Yes a business takes money…the point is, it doesn’t have to YOUR money. Its a FACT go to that website, it’s right there in front of the world’s face, but I’m guessing you’ll have a rebuttal for that too (because you’re doomed), the best I can do is agree with you on that. In that case why should your friends, fellow writers, or anyone else help you out? You seem to have everything figured out.
Your situation is pretty recent and for me it took me several years to ‘calm’ down. You’ll come around. It’s a difficult situation and you’re smart. Keep up the hard work, you’ll be alright someday.
is that me
great uplifting comment
thank you.
heartbroken
no insult meant,
don’t take it negatively,
stick with us,
you stated a debate, that’s good,
It is SEVERAL YEARS FOR ME TOO. Not sure what you are not gtting, and for the last time, I am not making any excuses. I have dotted all my I’s and crossed all my T’s… LOL I laugh because you are not realistic and I don’t mean to sound condesending, but you don’t know the first thing about business then if you think its that easy to start with out capital. and getting capital even harder. I’m not doom, I’m reality of the situation. I am the most positive person you’d ever meet actually but when it comes to this subject, being a felon and work, yea I have done my homework and will not be told otherwise.
I know all about FB and the story, that was a one in a million thing that happend for them. It’s simply not reality, without money a business can not start. All the intelligence, education and exprience combined can never start a business. You go ahead, let me know how far you get. lol
I’m not looking for dreamers, I was looking for support, logic and help… not nonsense and impossibilities.
This wasn’t the type of support I was looking for. Please don’t post back to me, I will no longer be answering.
heartbroken
yes, but you don’t have to answer, you can just read what other say, and come out to it when you feel like it,
just a note,
how do you think the first AMERICANS made it alive and prosper without money first,
and you have that gift in your AMERICAN genes,
they stood up tall like giant of this new world, and
use their brain.
A friend of mine, I met about a year and a half ago, shared how he used to think about people. He said his point of view was “I’m right. You’re wrong…and further more, you’re stupid!” Today as a 65 yr. old man he laughs at his old way of thinking.
Do felons deserve a second chance? Many people believe once a felon always a felon, but some felons just don’t change or haven’t changed yet, while some have changed and change starts in our thinking. I guess most follow the saying “shame on you the first time, shame on me the second”. If someone hires a felon and the felon turns on them, some would say it’s their fault for taking a chance.
By the grace of God, the first step for me was realizing that I was wrong and that much of my thinking was ‘wrong’. I was on my recliner and I cried like a little baby when it hit me. Since then my life changed. It wasn’t me against the world anymore. A huge burden was lifted despite my circumstances. I’ve been told that some people are beyond help because ‘they are incapable of being honest with themselves’ and are not capable of listening or accepting anything outside their thinking despite how obvious.
I’m grateful my mind has escaped the grips of that dark and lonely world. I think stillconvicted said it best in post 514…..”not all felons are created equal” , or equal at all. History shows many, many people have done more with less or worse situations we are in.
1 Corinthians 1:25 says “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” I’ll take my chances with God’s foolishness, that saved a wretch like me.
Felony is just a excuse to discriminate …if. it were a color it. Would. B. Rasism. I worked a job for 2 years as a temp after I got out… Never once was I. A. Problem. I. Walked miles and miles for. That 2 year’s before and after working. 18 hr days I busted my ass never. Said no never. Called off. Picked up. The. Slack…. After two years I worked my way up to supervisor for the. Temp agency and I asked to be hired in because most temps only. Hav to wait 6 months. For. That opportunity. They told me I was the best worker they have had. But it. Doesn’t hmatter how hard I work they can’t hire me for 10 years b4 they fired. Me. What the fuck am suppose to do 4. 10years my family has to eat to survive that long. …ithere will. Never be a end to crime… And ppl like u are the. Reason. Y… U live n a fairy tale world but my kids gotta eat now and. Speak for urself and don’t try to relate ur situation wit everyone else’s jus cus it worked out for u dont. Mean the rest of the felons of this world is givin a fair chance to get their life In order .. Im being backed n a conor…
DGrat
so sad they do it on a good worker like you after IMPOSING YOU TO WORK 18 HOURS DAY,
the person is a total creep and that is a real FELON compare to all the people here with the label,
he fits the label perfectly,
but let us not continue on him, he doesn’t deserve attention.
you are better than him and the next job will make up for it, don’t think we are like this person
we are not for sure, here are the people wo had a felony and paid the time and try to find their life back
a new life with a job, THEY have to ask for benefits from the welfare to feed their children for sure,
like you will need that help while you are not working, but while you wait keep your eyes open, anytime a job can fit you better than the last one who took advantage of you,
but not all are the same, there is good business owners who could give you work
a good worker like you is a precious acquisition for a business, keep looking
and I hope it will be soon,
but the economy is down and many are looking for work, so be patient,
and you can maybe get an extra skill in a school who teach other skills that would give you more options
when you look for a good job,
there are all kinds of good people to work for, this creep was not the normal kind of boss.
keep in touch with us here,we like to know that you keep hoping for the best. there is no time for anger for the past
start as a new day.
@dgrat
In my opinion the employer’s reasoning just doesn’t make sense.,.that a felon ‘hired’ is somehow different than a felon ‘temp’, especially when it appears they valued your employment and got to know you over a couple of years.
I am wondering though…what do you mean when you say “there will never be an end to crime and people like you are the reason why”?
Are you saying people like that are the reason crime exists?
is that me
hi, I just had an idea,
here it is: we where discussing with heartbroken and shelly clarke and you, of business starting
for felons only, and money needed as heartbroken said,
okay? watch this,
do we think all felons are broke? all of them?
I don’t think so, there is some with money , and they might think of helping,
here to start the business, they made their money not all unlawful, they got caught on maybe only one error, but we don’t question their lives we want only some of their money to help us and their know how,
any one here could talk to one of the rich felon if he know one, to invest and to pay back later,
we don’t want charity, we want to make a business to give work to only FELONS, all of them, we think big,
okay now that rich felon could tell us how much we need and what is to do, he can guide us to a real business and one hire the needed employees here and we begin and work at it to expand
so to get more felons working and more and more
there are 88thousands on the last year, it was said this year there will be 100 thousands felons
what a business we can have given some times to start and operate,
SEAN how about letting know the RICH felons of our PROJECT in only as a foetus size,
but I think promising, we need to know our beginning, I am just the mouth here not in the making
but I sure would like to see that happening,
where do we find those rich felons,? now you all want a job, you all best get involved, lets roll sleeves and think of creating your future job, for all to profit and help.
and ask what kind of job you fit in, prepare your notes
work at it, we will need to know all the skills we have here,
so to blend it inside our business.
any one, builder, plumber thinker creator leader and
dish washer, advance university ALL nba and those,
engeneer or mechanic, writer, and cook,
what a group we can have, and only felon
geez we could have our own town with politician felon but
pass felon, police and firefighters, driver trucker washer repair men, electronic smarty, if I miss on one you are included just the same,
the word is out.
bye
@ ilovebeeswarzone
You are so right. As we now have felony records we know 99% of jobs won’t hire us and the 1% are hard to find. Heartbroken made fun of us for thinking outside of the box. As felons, we are in a serious situation when it comes to making money to survive and put food on the table. It only makes sense, if we’re all sitting at home jobless, we have nothing to lose in making an effort in putting our talents together and forming some type of business(es). Heartbroken is an individual who I think is a sick person. First of all, she’s still claiming that she’s innocent, which is likely total denial like an alcoholic who thinks they don’t have a problem and hates everyone. She told us she’s a writer and I told her to look at http://www.kickstarter.com where total strangers all over the world give people like writers, artists and those in creative fields, money to fund their projects and businesses. To date 42,000 projects have been funded by strangers giving over $651,ooo,000. As you noticed she totally ignored that website and kept talking her nonsense that everything is impossible, that she’s better than everyone else and then demanded that people don’t post anymore in the forum saying she doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. If you ask me, she’s trying to convince herself that when she commits a crime again, it’s not her fault.
I’m sure there are 1,000’s of felons who know how to build websites and have no job. That would be the first step. For felons to go to a website, to join the group and list what skills they have to offer. From there we can skype and start brainstorming ideas on businesses we can form and linking people in cities together. It sounds far out, but so did everything else in this world at one point? Almost every actor and big business mogul has the same story that people in their lives, like Heartbroken, told them they were stupid and never going to make it, that they were just ‘dreamers’.
Thanks for the positive attitude ilovebeeswarzone. Right now, I’m broke and jobless, but I have a patent pending and working hard in making that ‘dream’ happen, and also forming another business with a kid I met in college class. Let’s keep it moving forward.
is that me
yes you talk about me being positive , but yo have the SPIRIT and BRAIN to achieve,
and it’s a no fail recipe,
thank you for coming,
let me know when things start moving for the other here to be uplifted too,
I think HEARTBROKEN is really heartbroken, and it will take a while to mend her heart
but it has to be done first, so to free her soul and allow her SPIRIT to shine like before her heart broke,
one thing she does is working and communicate in the cyber space she said, it occupy
her thoughts, and she is very intelligent also like you, and it might be harder to take the negative of life specially when they don’t go away as she would like ,
there are not two way to take it and yes it is difficult, for her.
you pass that part already, and your high spirit help you to clime the mountain again,
and the mountain is not as hard and not as high as time go by,
best to you.
bye
I just came across this cite as I was googling what type of jobs can felons get. I can see this is a huge problem that unless you are a felon which I am or know someone who is would know the difficulty with that stigma. I never thought it would be like this, I kept being so positive, once I get through the sentence, probation, then get my civil rights back things will be different. Last month I got called for jury duty, the judge called any convicted felons to the front. So I went up and said I was convicted but restored my rights. So the 2 1/2 years it took me and the numerous letters written to get my rights back. The judge said to me there are five judges needing jurors none is going to pick you but you have to sit here allday. I thought restoring my civil rights meant more than being punished again in a cattle call of jurors allday. Never went to prison house arrest. Plee deal. Abiding escape of a prisoner. Was my boyfriend who was in federal prison camp on work detail of the prison I picked him up and returned him 30 minutes later also forcible assault against officer who was no where insight. All because this boyfriend denied leaving the work detail with me after he got caught since he was told on because he was such an asshole. Sorry regards, The disgruntled Felon
@J.Espinosa:
Sweet home alabama lol…..
Hey kid tone,
With a comment like that I might think you we’re that asshole boyfriend that I stood by for 10 years prior to the incident, visiting, making sure you had your fine paid, plus 250 a month commissary and paid someone to do your laundry. For me to get thrown under the bus when he still got the same punishment anyway. And if you are not him I apologize. It’s 9 years ago and same story like everyone else can’t get a job. It is just very depressing,
The State Department has hired an alarming number of law-enforcement agents with criminal backgrounds.
The background problems are severe enough that many of the roughly 2,000 agents in State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security can play only limited roles in agency efforts to police bad conduct and prosecute wrongdoers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JUNE 11t, 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed lawsuits against two companies, BMW and Dollar General, for allegedly discriminating against workers and job applicants who’d had interactions with the criminal justice system. The EEOC lawsuits charge that both companies’ practices had a disparate impact on black workers.
Dollar General, the nation’s largest small-box discount retailer, makes job offers contingent on applicants’ first clearing a criminal background check.
Also a BMW manufacturing facility in South Carolina kept an exclusionary policy which barred employees and employees of subcontractors from entering a facility if they had certain criminal convictions.
EEOC charges that BMW and Dollar General’s employment practices violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In a tough economy, criminal background checks have a disproportionate impact on black and Latino workers that can amount to a life sentence.
In 2006 the EEOC was conducting 60 active workplace discrimination investigations, but by 2011 the agency stepped it up to almost 600.
~~~~~~~~~~
SECURITY workers in the State Dept????
People working in a retail sales store????
And….BMW was complying with every law on the books when slapped with this.
it’s a competition and people go to work and literally point out each others flaws just to get ahead of the game…. do you really want to be apart of this atmosphere? its more u need a way to take care of yourself.. go into careers that dont care about that like maybe becoming a mechanic or delivering news papers
magmatic123
hi, ,
but yes one might start from the beginning,
so many here are so high in schooling , they are able to take care of a whole business
from the top, WALL STREET BULLS AND BEARS, they have a package full of smart and know how,
but I think they would be looking stupid getting a job in mechanic or plumber,
most are looking according to their expertize, we cannot blame them,
in that world those who get lucky are the one JACK OF ALL TRADE,
they can repair anything , from computer to printer, like my own printer is in need of repair,
and they can even work from their home and advertize themselves,
like the old time forgotten by the new students of today, no one teach them the basic repair jobs,
but we have to return to those good old days to save first of all AMERICA IN PERIL,
the only one who employe is OBAMA in government jobs,
he doesn’t have to pay them so he hire on and on,
and the PEOPLE pay their earnings on the sweat of their neck,
but outside, is another story, and the jobs are scarce
or temporary, or with reduce time,
we must adapt until OBAMA leave his job.
best to you.