In Iowa, Paying Your Debt to Society Isn't Quite Enough

[MadHound]

2. Well, well, hello Javert

A few things for you to know. First of all, it is incredibly easy for one to pick up a felony. I don't know the exact details of Iowa law during the '80's, but living in Missouri, I do know it is very similar to our laws. Felonies can be had for stealing anything valued at $100.00 or more. You can pick up a mandatory felony under our three strikes rule, committing three misdemeanors. Oh, and misdemeanors do follow you around the rest of your life. A lot of jobs won't care if you did a misdemeanor, but try becoming a teacher or other such position, and they do care, and will find out.

The man stole a soda machine when he was a teenager twenty five, thirty years. Sounds more like a teenage prank/dare type of deal than serious crime. But whatever, the man was a teenager, it was thirty years ago, and the man has walked the straight and narrow since. What, no forgiveness? No recognition that the man has paid for his crime, and that he has changed for the better?

A person shouldn't be prohibited from voting, or holding office, for an act committed as a teenager thirty years ago. Give him his voting rights, and let the public decide if they want to elect him if he runs for office.