Sunday, December 5, 2010

Criminals

Being a criminal is a choice. Yes, we (myself specifically) made a choice in our lives a some point to break the law. I realize that this in something that we must live with. And I made that choice several times. But, at some point we should be able to put that choice behind us. My emotions played a large part in my repeat performance. Not an excuse.
We are criminals, but there are many Americans that have also made poor choices. The difference is that, they made the choice at a young age and where given the chance to not be convicted because of social situation. It could have been due to financial position, family, friends in the system or just plain luck. What I means is at a point in their young lives they broke the law and some how they were not convicted. They learned from the mistake and were given the chance to go on with there life without a blemish on it.  I am not crying poor me, poor us or anything like that. I am saying that many people have made the same mistakes and because of circumstances, they learn and avoided jail, prison or even just a felony conviction.
I do not want anybody that is reading this to have an epiphany and think that I am saying, "They (convicted felons) are just people that got screwed by the system."  I am also not blaming the system or anybody for the fact that we are in this position in our lives for any other reason then we messed up.  I just would like people to realize that once the debt to society has been payed. Once we have done our time, is it to much to ask for a chance to join the ranks of productive members of society.
Corporate America won't hire most of us. I understand that they are apprehensive about theft and a number of other possibilities. But, I have met a few young men and women that would have contributed to any company that offered them an opportunity to make a decent living.
I am, like many others in this country, a criminal. I would like to say that I WAS a criminal. But, I am aware that I am only one poor choice away from breaking a law that could put me back in the system. And since, my history says that when push comes to shove, I will break the law, then I have to live with that moniker. Many people don't realize that guilt, pain, sadness or even remorse have a influence on choices. Again, I am not making any excuses. I did what I did. That's a fact that if given the chance I would change. I must life with that. I am not asking anybody to forgive me. If anything, I might be writing this so that I can learn to forgive myself. But, we as one of the greatest countries on this planet have to learn to forgive or be swallowed by a disease of our own creation. I am still unsure if the disease is the prison system, the drug addiction or just plain me.