Second chance for citizens with a criminal record.
I'm petitioning the government to enact legislation which will ease the struggle people with criminal records are having becoming employed.
First giving honor to President Obama, members of the House, as well as the Senate. This petition signals a call-to-action. My name is James Tyson. I'm a citizen of this great nation, a registered and very active voter, and a honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Services. I'm also a convicted felon. More than a decade ago this August I was convicted for the crime of Possessing a controlled substance. I accepted full responsibility for the crime I committed, paid my debt to society and set out to move forward in my life living the right way. Fast forward a decade and I find my self still under employed or unemployable despite educating myself. My research shows that the national unemployment rate is at an all time high 9.8% and for convicted felons across this country is at 21%. I find myself hindered from attaining the the often talked but very elusive "American dream". Effectively blacklisted from gaining the type of employment which would allow me to experience that dream. There was a period in my life where I volunteered to possibly give my life for this country, and would have gladly given the ultimate sacrifice if I had called too do so. Do I not deserve access to that dream? Should my son go without the essentials he needs to become a productive citizen because of a mistake I made a decade ago? Lookng for support next election cycle? America is full of people just like me we are regaining our rights as citizens and we deserve a voice just like any other group with an agenda their trying to advance. A person with a criminal record simply made a mistake in using poor judgement. Who hasn't? Will we be penalized forever? Many of us are taking the steps to improve our lives. Yes we can! Or can we? All we want is the opportunity without hinderance to attain that dream. I envision a system similar to the system our country uses to grant citizenship. A system where we can apply for expungements or pardons. Make it a mandatory 10 years without an arrest before we are eligable. Those who meet the mandatory requirements can come up for review to see if we've lived a crime free life. Those who do are granted relief those who dont wont be. Now I'm no politician I just believe that if I have a problem with a system or situation I should at least contribute feedback on how to fix it. Truthfully, what i've proposed may not be feasible like I said "I'm no politician" but we have to start somewhere. Mr. President,ladies and gentleman in Congress I implore you, "please come together in a bi-partisan way and help build a true pathway to redemption".This petition is meant to communicate my position which I feel warrants a call-to-action from my Government. Furthermore, it serves as an example of support from the many concerned citizens who are affected either directly or indirectly by this issue. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
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