As Americans, we are all equally entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Is this true ?

Question

I'm a convicted felon which to me makes this is a false statement. I was released in 1990 after doing my time and finished the 8yrs probation with a clean record thru them. Was lucky and started work at a old job and was there for 13 yrs before they sold out. Since then I find it hard to find any work cause of my record and the laws that keep me from being able to ever drive again. What little work is available in town I'm not qualified for and with no way to commute out of town work is almost impossible to find and hold on to. So What happen to my right to pursue happiness ?
They took away all my other rights but still I should be able to have the right to survive in this country. I thought by doing everything I needed to make a better life for myself would still be available to me but it seems that its not. I wonder at times why did they even let me out with no means of support to help me be able to make it in todays society. All this will do for some is make more repeat offenders.

I thank you all for your answers even the ones that were negative. I could take the points and pick one but I'm going to let this one go to a vote.
I don't feel I'm an exception to the rule as one said cause there are alot out there just like me. I'm not asking anyone to feel sorry for me since I got myself into this position. Just wanted to know why its always going to be held against me no matter how much I strive to be a dedicated and law abiding citizen.
And as someone pointed out some over come their sentences but the ones used had some advatages over me. One was an accomplished comedian before he got sentenced and not sure who the other was but the day they were released they both could walk into a DMV and get their drivers license back. Even the one with the murder charge which is a planned crime that took someones life was able to have a second chance to start over again. But anyone with a DUI manslaughter isn't suppose to be able to succeed through life according to some.

Answer 1

You seem to be a very definite "exception to the rule" and obviously paid the price for your offense.

Your question of "what happened to my right..." would be answered by many who could respond with "you gave that right up when you committed the offense."

Too often many fail to look ahead to determine what COULD happen before taking the actions that they later regret.

This is obviously unfortunate for you as one can easily see your frustration and remorse!

There is one POSSIBLE way to help yourself which would be to contact an attorney to have your criminal record expunged. This has become more difficult to do over the years, however, there is always a chance that you could get this done!

Hope this helps.....best wishes!

Answer 2

Irregardless of the negative things you may hear on here - 17 years out of prison and with a clean record does not mean you are a threat to society.
The archaic practice of civil death for felons in this country is ridiculous. Serve your time and prove you can live as a productive member of society and you should be able to earn some rights back and be considered an equal with every other man out there in the job line.
That being said their are limitations to even my beliefs - if you have taken a life due to chronic or habitual drunk driving then you never deserve your license back - that civil liberty is not something you can ever earn back because the person who died can never earn their life back.
Go forth and try to conquer - there are people who have done great things after felony convictions - notably Tim Allen (comedian with felony drug charge) and Duane "Dog" Chapman (TV reality star with a felony murder charge) - both men did prison time and both men have risen above to contribute to society.

Answer 3

well being care provides you high quality of existence. Liberty is a few thing which will by no skill bypass away. Pursuit of Happiness can in basic terms come while adequate quantities of "happiness", or "wealth" because it may desire to be, could be attained, in spite of the indisputable fact that, you tard truffles do no longer recognize the information. 80 % of the wealth is in 20 % of the inhabitants. The Repubs. opt for the undesirable human beings to die previously they get social protection so that they could fund greater wars and earn greater money off stated wars by way of offering the two factors of stated wars.

Answer 4

Stories like yours just break my heart. "How can there be any redemption if there is no forgiveness?" The way "former criminals" are treated here in the greatest country on Earth is a colossal sham! Equality for all is the first biggest lie in the world. You may have to find something very specific to do for an equal opportunity employer in order to redeem yourself. What better way to ensure a steady population of prison inmates than to make it nearly impossible for them to go straight, and stay straight. Our system of criminal law is the height of hypocrisy. Then, you could always lie, but lying to get or keep a job is wrong, and illegal. My advice: Try to have your record expunged, sealed, or whatever they call it. Second: Look for a REAL equal opportunity employer, and try to stick with them. You may have to work real hard to redeem yourself, but the effort is worth it. Best wishes.

Answer 5

I can under stand: but I can not change the world, but if you can hang tuff alittle longer, You'll see that there be so many of you out there, maybe you get a job going to war, and defending a country that will not let the men come home that need a breck, and then you will have a job, a real job and food and respect>

Answer 6

While you must understand that some of yoru trials are consequences for your actions, it is true that right now, it does not seem like your rights to pursue happiness are respected. The prison system is failing miserably for people like you who decided to live an honest life after their initial mistake. You end up being judged guilty for crimes that are not even commited.

The pursuit of happiness is a myth for many people. Unless you are born in the right family, you will not get that right defacto, you will have to fight for it.

It seems that some people think there is a limited amount of happiness available in the world and they end up wanting to keep it for themselves.

Answer 7

There is no place in the Constitution that says you have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". This is from the Declaration of Independence.

I don't know what you were convicted of, so I'm not going to comment on that. But, it sounds like you have been "rehabilitated" and trying to be a productive member of society. For that I congratulate you. And all I can suggest is that you have the courts re-establish your driving privileges.

Answer 8

You were entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness until you made a choice to break the law. When you are a convicted felon the rules change, your role in society changes. Regardless of whether you have done your time and have a clean record you will always be regarded as a potential danger to society based upon the fact that you have a rpoven ability and willingness to partake in criminal acts.

You made the choice to break the law, knowing that there were life long repercussions.

Answer 9

All I could offer is my own thought on the matter.....since you
did all that was required of you to be released back into mainstream public life....for the system to keep hounding you
sounds a lot like 'double jeapardy'................and I always
thought double jeapardy was a bit illegal....

Answer 10

you cry baby cons make me sick what a cry baby. you sure were not thinking about your rights when you were raping or molesting who ever or what ever so why cry now.boo hoo why not get a job at the old prison you were in.people who end up in prison are just stupid the law gives you all kinds of breaks. if you want to work bad enough you will find a job. maybe your to fussy you *****