Pennsylvania Election Day ~ April 26th, 2016

Tomorrow is primary election day in five states, including mine, Pennsylvania.

I won’t be voting.

When I first registered to vote, I was 19 and wanted my notary license. I registered as an Independent because at that age, I wasn’t sure what I was. In 2007, I changed to Republican. But the last two primaries were already decided before they even got to Pennsylvania. I changed back to Independent last summer.

Lo and behold, we have a primary in Pennsylvania and I can’t vote.


I’m not too bent out of shape about it. I’m not happy with the candidates—on either side.


I do think Trump is going to win my state. And while I’m not thrilled with that, I totally understand why people are supporting and voting for him. He’s not a politician. The American people are furious with our politicians and government in general, and want someone who isn’t the status quo or the establishment.


  I just don’t know if Trump will really make a difference. And I truly believe we need someone in the White House who will respect our Constitution, curb our spending, and keep this country safe from terrorism, along with fix the illegal immigration problem.


There are many issues that need addressed, but those are my top priority.


At this point, though, I won’t hold my breath on any of it.

BAN Ban The Box

 

As a supervisor who hires, trains and managers numerous employees, I am NOT in favour of Ban TheBox. To be perfectly honest, I’m totally against it.

There is a reason job applications ask if an applicant is a convicted felon. It’s for protection—person and property. In my 32+ years hiring employees, many felons are repeat offenders. Many others are career felons and a mere handful are those who made a mistake, paid their dues and never did it again. The latter are the ones who should be given a chance. And in my career, I have given plenty. Even though I get less and less background checks that are blank—meaning the person committed NO crime, not even a DUI. That’s just shameful.

Ban The Box eliminates the question on job applications with the hopes that you will not judge the applicant if they checked “yes” and by the time you’ve interviewed the felon you will like them so much, and think they are so qualified, you will hire them in spite of their criminal record.

I’m here to tell you, if you are a CAREER felon, I don’t give a rat’s patootie how qualified you are, I will not hire you.

Now, if you made a mistake 20+ years ago and have had a clean record since, absolutely, I will hire you, and as I said, I have.

This crap that it’s discriminatory to ask if someone is convicted of a felon is BS. Is it also discriminatory to have employees drug tested?  Or are we going to have to accept alcoholics and drug addicticts because it’s not fair and they can’t help it? Is it discriminatory to get someone’s credit report when their job duties include handling thousands and thousands of dollars? Or how about when they work with children? Are we going to stop doing criminal background checks and finger printing and eliminate the sexual predator’s list? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we did eliminate all that. We are a society where no one is responsible for any of their actions. And if they perpetrate a crime, we owe them something. After all, we’re all entitled now.

I’m sick of this. It’s dangerous to carry a gun, but it’s safe and acceptable to put employees and customers in danger with convicted felons. And I do know of what I speak. I’ve had people apply for jobs who committed assault and battery, robbery, identity theft, selling drugs, stalking and even rape. And many of them lied on the application by saying “no” they committed no felon. However, their arm-long criminal background shows they are career criminals. And no, many are not 20+ years ago. Many aren’t even 10 years ago. I’ve had them within one year, or less.

So, if you don’t want me to judge, DON’T COMMIT A CRIME.