I am disenfranchised.

12voltz
reply to post by onequestion

 

Old enough to get a plane ticket and leave ,Ethiopia is nice this time of year and should give you some perspective and with many programs to help disenfranchised westerners and their miserable circumstances

This kind of reply only serves to highlight that you have nothing of any merit to say, so you stoop to "get out, ingrate!" Not unlike the schoolyard snot who has their arse handed to them intellectually, and retorts with "Then go home if you don't like it!" Try harder to give a damn about your country before you sneer at others for speaking up, k?

OP, I feel you. This country has lived a socialite's life on a waitress' budget. In the process, we've destroyed our economy, and what is left of it only serves to fatten the wallets of the company owners while making workers bend over backwards even further for less take-home. I know no one who isn't working more hours, after taking a pay cut the last few years. What is left now for the rest of us? Several hundred million people, huge numbers of them out of work, and very few jobs to go around. Where once hand-to-mouth existence wasn't the majority, we're inching closer every day to the majority of the population living like that, and it doesn't stand to make anyone very proud. We have a huge problem in America, and no one wants to fix it. Nice to know the solution is to bark "get out, schmuck" instead of to fix this horribly broken mess of a "country" we call home. I am ashamed for all of us, we've been beaten down so far & pitted against each other so flawlessly that we can't even work together towards a tangible goal anymore.

So, are we going to wave the white flag while chiding the half of the country being walked on (while telling them to leave) or are we going to grow a pair and start fixing this economic dump up?

reply to post by Nyiah

So, are we going to wave the white flag while chiding the half of the country being walked on (while telling them to leave) or are we going to grow a pair and start fixing this economic dump up?

How exactly are normal Americans supposed to "fix" this economic dump? How is anyone at all, let alone average Joe Schmoe going to do anything that will impact the banks and special interests that actually run things?

I hear these statements from people on here sometimes, everyone seems to think that everyone should be doing something about it, but what can one person do in the grand scheme of things? All i can really influence is my own little world I live in.

The system has to implode on itself. There is no other way. It cannot continue as it has and it cannot be reformed since the people running the system are so heavily bought into it.

Cancerwarrior
The system has to implode on itself. There is no other way. It cannot continue as it has and it cannot be reformed since the people running the system are so heavily bought into it.

I actually don't disagree here. To start fresh, we might actually have to start from the bottom again. What we can do socially in the meantime is to change how we think about politics, and to change our entrenched views on the parties. We've invested a lot of power into 2 lone Big Dogs, and it's really hurt the country in doing so. We have social & political blinders on because of that & refuse to even consider a different party to vote for, all because of conditioned bias. Let's say we have a significant exodus of Reds & Blues from those parties into other minor ones. Even if we are to crumble & start anew, the blow might not be so harsh if we changed our political perspectives (and therefore social ones) even just a little. If we don't, what do you think the odds are of doing this whole Red/Blue bullcrap all over again the next incarnation? Pretty high if we never try out anything else. That's just being a broken record.

Sorry OP, not meaning to thread-jack you.

reply to post by Nyiah

What we can do socially in the meantime is to change how we think about politics, and to change our entrenched views on the parties. We've invested a lot of power into 2 lone Big Dogs, and it's really hurt the country in doing so.

Ah so you are talking of politics, I thought you meant the economy.

The thing is, most people recognize this when you get them alone and talk to them. They know the system is corrupt, Demopublican or Republicrat, they both do the same things and ultimately have the same agenda.

If we don't, what do you think the odds are of doing this whole Red/Blue bullcrap all over again the next incarnation?

We evolved for 250,000 years living in tribes and our brains and bodies evolved with it. We are wired to be tribal in nature, we want to relate to and be around other members of our tribe. Even if you somehow get rid of the two headed one party system, it will be replaced with another tribal mechanism and will result in the same thing as we have now in the long run. I don't think large groups of people are ever going to have a harmonious society. I think if you look at history, the most harmonious and balanced societies were smaller more close knit ones.

I really don't think there is a way to "fix" things as they are without it happening from the top down. And with the sociopaths and psychos we have running things I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Cancerwarrior
Ah so you are talking of politics, I thought you meant the economy.

The thing is, most people recognize this when you get them alone and talk to them. They know the system is corrupt, Demopublican or Republicrat, they both do the same things and ultimately have the same agenda.

Just to clarify, politics & the economy go hand in hand, so obviously, you can't ignore either/or. Looking at what the politicians have allowed to happen with regards to business practices (shipping jobs overseas, skipping out on taxes, etc) it's pretty clear that we first have to fix the politics before we can fix the economy. I know a lot of people think of it as a chick or the egg situation, but it seems pretty clear to me. They can't get away with something in practice if it's not rubber-stamped politically & legally first. Ethically, I think people like the OP are getting a sh**y hand dealt to them after doing their time. A lot of people like them get a lousy deal despite proving their worth after screwing up young. And it's unfair. But legally, politically, it's considered for the betterment of the business even if it does nothing but grow an underclass of impoverished & disheartened workers without an ability (or means, not everyone can get a loan for a DIY biz) to get ahead.

It's all intertwined, and it's all such a mess.

TDawgRex
What many people here are missing is the word "disenfranchised" is quite often used incorrectly. The OP is a convicted felon who has done their time, but as a result of the crime has also lost many rights as stated under law even after having served their time.

A stupid act made in youth can ruin a lifetime. It can hobble your chances at doing well for yourself & family.

Once your disenfranchised, almost everything is harder. Can't vote, can't own a weapon legally, employers may pass over your application, etc, etc.

But I don't see how the OP could be disenfranchised from religion. That one has me scratching my head. Religion is a personal belief/faith based system.

Oh...a convicted felon blaming everyone but himself for the problems he created for himself? In that case the sympathy meter drops a whole hell of a lot.

Disenfranchised with what, exactly? Just being annoyed at "everything" just means you are either depressed a very negative person.

What a vague thread.

nixie_nox
Disenfranchised with what, exactly? Just being annoyed at "everything" just means you are either depressed a very negative person.

What a vague thread.

edit on 4-12-2013 by nixie_nox because: (no reason given)

I have to agree. Vague is what I thought too. "Just what is 'e goin' on about?"

reply to post by NavyDoc

Oh...a convicted felon blaming everyone but himself for the problems he created for himself? In that case the sympathy meter drops a whole hell of a lot.

I don't know if you've ever had any run ins with the US legal/judicial system. If you are one of the lucky ones that haven't, keep in mind that almost three million people are locked up in prisons across this country. Far higher than any other developed nation. Do you really think all the people convicted for crimes are all sadists and murderers? Its quite easy to get mixed up in the US "justice" sytem and once you're in, it's hell to get out.

There is a whole lot of people in jail right now because of laws like three strikes. People slangin weed and such that have hurt nobody.

I spent the day helping my father in law move once. When we were done for the day I sat on his porch drank 2 twelve ounce bottles of beer with him then headed home. On the way home it got dark and cloudy and my little beater of a car had no windshield wipers that worked. So I went about 65 in a 55 or so trying to get home before the bottom fell out. I live out in the woods and never see cops out here. Well just so happens a state trooper pulled me over for speeding. Smelt beer on my breath, made me take a roadside sobriety test. (which I passed just fine) and told me to blow in the little tube. My alcohol level was .007, right at the legal limit or a DUI. He told me he was taking me in to the detention center and I was being arrested for drinking while driving. I had never had so much as a damn traffic ticket before.

I ended up talking to the local DA and he agreed the cop was overzealous and was determined to arrest me. The charges were thrown out after a few months, but I'll tell you what, as soon as it happened my insurance shot sky high, not only did I have to pay bail bondsmen to get me out of jail that night, but I had to pay towing/impound/storage fees on my truck two which had to be kept for a minimum of two weeks before it was released back. (Total scam, in that 2 weeks they charge you 25 dollars a day storage fees at the impound that you have to pay before they release your vehicle.) I was also being forced to pay for a breathstarter machine to be installed in my ride and had to pay the monthly connection charges on it, and had to pay my probation officer and had to do community service. It's amazingly expensive and guess what happens if you're on probation and you do so much as fart the wrong way? You get slammed with more fees, jailtime, maybe a nice ankle bracelet and so forth.

The last two jobs I worked at the people doing the interviewing wanted me to explain the circumstances surrounding my DUI on such and such date. So even though I was never convicted, they still get a reason to think I'm a drunkard and now can discriminate if they so choose.

I'm convinced more and more that things like DUI stops are more about making money for the state and not keeping people safer.

Cancerwarrior
reply to post by NavyDoc

 

Oh...a convicted felon blaming everyone but himself for the problems he created for himself? In that case the sympathy meter drops a whole hell of a lot.

I don't know if you've ever had any run ins with the US legal/judicial system. If you are one of the lucky ones that haven't, keep in mind that almost three million people are locked up in prisons across this country. Far higher than any other developed nation. Do you really think all the people convicted for crimes are all sadists and murderers? Its quite easy to get mixed up in the US "justice" sytem and once you're in, it's hell to get out.

There is a whole lot of people in jail right now because of laws like three strikes. People slangin weed and such that have hurt nobody.

I spent the day helping my father in law move once. When we were done for the day I sat on his porch drank 2 twelve ounce bottles of beer with him then headed home. On the way home it got dark and cloudy and my little beater of a car had no windshield wipers that worked. So I went about 65 in a 55 or so trying to get home before the bottom fell out. I live out in the woods and never see cops out here. Well just so happens a state trooper pulled me over for speeding. Smelt beer on my breath, made me take a roadside sobriety test. (which I passed just fine) and told me to blow in the little tube. My alcohol level was .007, right at the legal limit or a DUI. He told me he was taking me in to the detention center and I was being arrested for drinking while driving. I had never had so much as a damn traffic ticket before.

I ended up talking to the local DA and he agreed the cop was overzealous and was determined to arrest me. The charges were thrown out after a few months, but I'll tell you what, as soon as it happened my insurance shot sky high, not only did I have to pay bail bondsmen to get me out of jail that night, but I had to pay towing/impound/storage fees on my truck two which had to be kept for a minimum of two weeks before it was released back. (Total scam, in that 2 weeks they charge you 25 dollars a day storage fees at the impound that you have to pay before they release your vehicle.) I was also being forced to pay for a breathstarter machine to be installed in my ride and had to pay the monthly connection charges on it, and had to pay my probation officer and had to do community service. It's amazingly expensive and guess what happens if you're on probation and you do so much as fart the wrong way? You get slammed with more fees, jailtime, maybe a nice ankle bracelet and so forth.

The last two jobs I worked at the people doing the interviewing wanted me to explain the circumstances surrounding my DUI on such and such date. So even though I was never convicted, they still get a reason to think I'm a drunkard and now can discriminate if they so choose.

I'm convinced more and more that things like DUI stops are more about making money for the state and not keeping people safer.

edit on 4-12-2013 by Cancerwarrior because: (no reason given)

That all is concerning but, the bottom line is that you chose to drink and then get behind the wheel and you chose to drive above the speed limit. Although I agree with your lawyer and am glad things worked out, the bottom line is that your actions got you in that position in the first place, not "the system."

onequestion
reply to post by Happy1

 

Thanks for being one of the five people left on ATS who will intelligently engage themselves in a thread. I appreciate your response.

So I read through this piece and I still cant decipher what is actually wrong with you?

You can't find a job? It's okay, you're starting a podcast. What is your felony for? Felons have it beyond hard to get a job, especially those who went to MMA school instead of college.

I have 13+ yrs of exp, no felonies, a degree, amazing track record, and I still cant find a good job in a major metro area.

It sucks in the US - Just cause its hitting you doesnt mean it hasnt been going on for a long time.

Maybe if you explained a bit more as to what the actual problem is, how and WHY you are feeling this way, we can help.

To go on a rant that doesnt make sense doesnt help anyone.

reply to post by NavyDoc

That all is concerning but, the bottom line is that you chose to drink and then get behind the wheel and you chose to drive above the speed limit. Although I agree with your lawyer and am glad things worked out, the bottom line is that your actions got you in that position in the first place, not "the system."

And I don't disagree with that.

Whether it was deserved or not on my part is really irrelevant, the fact that it isn't even a felony and ten years after the fact it still shows up on a background check is whats concerning to me.

You seem to be saying that anyone and everyone convicted of a crime is deserving of being discriminated against for the rest of their lives because of said crime.

Maybe some of them are, but does that mean that everyone is?

And yes, "the system" is to blame. Once you are in it, its almost impossible to get away from it.

reply to post by onequestion


Upon reading your remark I thought the answer is to invent yourself, What do you do well? Other than some student curriculum, any natural talent hiding inside? You really have to explore other possibilities these days. Jobs just aren't there. If your artistically endowed seek activities to fulfill your inner calling.

nugget1
I know exactly what you mean! I felt like that a few years ago; turns out it was a hormone imbalance.
I still don't have much hope for humanity, but I feel a lot better.

I am so sorry to have offended you, Onequestion. It's just that EVERYBODY is susceptible to a negative, depressed frame of mind - more so with the world in this day and age.
When I feel like that, I'm miserable. The more I dwell on it, and discuss it, the deeper into the darkness I can go.
I have found that humor is very effective at breaking the cycle of hopelessness.
I can choose to focus on having everything I want, or wanting everything I have.
Negativity can be a real spirit breaker, and poisons the vessel that carries it.
I have always loved the axiom 'I used to feel sorry for myself because I had no shoes; then I met a man who had no feet".
I see your rant as a 'pity-party', with few suggestions on how to improve your life, or the world.
There isn't a lot of good left in the world, but what there is starts with YOU., and you have to search really hard some days to find it.
I hope your life improves, and something good comes your way.
Again; sorry for my humor,
Nugget

nixie_nox
Disenfranchised with what, exactly? Just being annoyed at "everything" just means you are either depressed a very negative person.

What a vague thread.

edit on 4-12-2013 by nixie_nox because: (no reason given)

Thank You, That was why I replied the way I did, I wasn't sure at what she or he was Complaining about, I had no real back ground, it was Vague.
onequestion, I was just trying to cheer you up, It appeared you might of been seriously depressed.
Don't worry, I won't try again.

guohua
I was just trying to cheer you up, It appeared you might of been seriously depressed.
Don't worry, I won't try again.

Never give up, my friend ... for that is the moment when you accept defeat. We're all in this together.

reply to post by onequestion


If I read the OP correctly, your view of being 'disenfranchised' has nothing to do with the common use of the word. From there, you expressed anger (no other choice, really) at some point of your life that made you feel this way.

I am not represented in the school system, the political spectrum, or in any of the popular mainstream religions. I am unaffiliated with a gang i mean political group.

There is no program out there for people like me. How can you people sit in your shells of reality believing all this crap that being fed through mainstream culture to you?

If I may... human beings are each as unique as their finger prints. We are, none of us... out of 9+ billion, identical. I know I don't fit in very many places... not entirely. But because I don't, I find freedom and a landscape of possibility that most will miss.

From this point, I have to ask... is the anger because you WANT to fit or is it because the rest don't fit to you?

I suggest embracing your uniqueness and nursing and embellishing who you are in a world that is becoming less and less unique each day...

reply to post by onequestion


Haters gonna hate.

Cancerwarrior
reply to post by NavyDoc

 

That all is concerning but, the bottom line is that you chose to drink and then get behind the wheel and you chose to drive above the speed limit. Although I agree with your lawyer and am glad things worked out, the bottom line is that your actions got you in that position in the first place, not "the system."

And I don't disagree with that.

Whether it was deserved or not on my part is really irrelevant, the fact that it isn't even a felony and ten years after the fact it still shows up on a background check is whats concerning to me.

You seem to be saying that anyone and everyone convicted of a crime is deserving of being discriminated against for the rest of their lives because of said crime.

Maybe some of them are, but does that mean that everyone is?

And yes, "the system" is to blame. Once you are in it, its almost impossible to get away from it.

Depends on the crime and we don't know what the OP's was except that it was a felony of some sort. If he fell befoul of some stupid regulatory law, then, perhaps we can talk about him being screwed by the system. If he harmed another citizen, then I can't find much sympathy.

reply to post by Cancerwarrior


Those are some good questions.

I think part of the answer lies in acting and thinking like a corporation, but instead of personal profit as the intent, we would hold the health of our nation as the intent.

We have the tools to do so, right here and now. But, they arent quite adapted to this purpose in some ways. Its like wielding a hammer that is a bit loose. So, it takes a little bit of work, but then its good to go.

It will be fought against, of course. If any actual plans are in the work, they will need to remain hidden until release.

Dont lose hope. I know that can be hard, given the situation.. but it can be hard to know what is in the works without omniscience.