As I have blogged about in the past I am a convicted felon. When I was 17 I made some very serious mistakes which cost me over 5 years of my life (actually 8 if you count the 3 years of supervised release). I paid my debt to society for my mistakes and have since made a very dramatic turnaround and straightened my life out into a highly productive and successful citizen who is raising a family, paying taxes and living a normal life.
Follow below the fold for questions I would like to hear an honest debate and opinion from this community about...
Even after paying my debt for my mistakes for the rest of my life I am subjected to many limitations which I feel should be address.
One of which is voting. While right now I can vote as I am registered in my home state of Massachusetts which is one of the states which allow ex-felons to vote. However if one day I decided to move to another state for economic or personal issues there is a strong chance I would lose my right to vote and as a very active member of the democratic party and strong activist I am horrified at this prospect.
Another question (and I know this is a touchy subject here) is firearms. Did you know that as an ex-felon I can NOT visit my uncles residence because he is a active home and has firearms in his home? I could be arrested and jailed (for up to 10 years!) for visiting a family member (luckily I know the law and am VERY careful) however how many do not?
How long must I be punished for a crime committed (now going on) 12 years ago? Is this a life sentence?
I know this is a delicate subject which is why I bring it up here in the anonymity of a blog. I know many ex-felon are afraid to raise their voices because of the fear of destroying their current legal and legitimate life and bring their past into the spotlight.
We are alienating and disenfranchising an entire generation of Americans (especially from the drug war and hundreds of thousands of non-violent felony convictions it has brought) and I am hoping to hear an honest debate here at the Great Orange Satan.
So what`s your opinion?
Update: Im adding a poll to get a good gauge from those not interested in commenting