Death Penalty...Can you persuade me to think it is a good idea?

Question

I am under the impression capitol punishment is useless. I can not argure to take that which I can not freely give (human life), there is no real closure for families, and --I suppose, it is no longer a deturrent in our emotionally closed-off society. I'm interested in hearing different opinions.

Answer 1

No. It's too expensive and it isn't a deterrent.

Answer 2

Before we jump into any conclusion, ask yourself a few questions. How perfect is our justice system? How often did you hear some innocent people who went to jail for the crime they had never committed? How often did you hear a story that someone was executed for the murder they had never done?

It happened recently in China. A nice young man was convicted of rape and murder a young girl. He was executed within a few days. A few weeks later, the Chinese police arrested another man who confessed that he was the real killer. According to the young man's parent. Their son is a very good person. He wouldn't even kill a chicken.

Now, think about it. What happen if this young man is your son?
How would you like your loved-ones suffer the same fate?

There are many reasons Canada does not support death penalty.

1. As what I have said before, our justice system is far from perfect.

2. When there is no death penalty, the jury are more incline to convict the accused.

3. Statistic have shown that death penalty does not reduce crime rate.

I understood it costs a lot to keep the prisoner in prison. What we should do is to make them work. And I believe we have already done so.

Answer 3

I'm totally opposed to it. Natural life in prison is the correct way. I don't mean in a luxuary type of prison either. There should be special prisons built to house perpetrators of violent crimes only. Here in Canada, it should be somewhere up north in the N.W.T. Tough if the family can't get to visit . They can make mailbags or any thing else . They get 2 movies a week and censored TV. 3 years from now if they are proven not guilty, which happens alot more than is played up to the public,they can be released and given assistance to get their life on track. In the meantimenon-violent crimes can be punished without prisons- Community service,house arrest, ankle braclets, and most importantly restitution to their victims.
Also all ppl should be treated equally under the law.In the US for example, would a poor black man in Mississippi, receive the same defence as O.J.Simpson for example. We do not have the death penalty in Canada, nor do they have it in European Union nations. They still have it in China ,Saudi Arabia, USA,Iran & most muslim countries.In virtually all civilized countries it is considered barbaric and has no place in today's society.

Answer 4

I can not, as I also think it is totally wrong for many reasons!
China Doll above is a typical example of the faulty and wrong thinking on that. If not wanting to feed unproductive people were a good reason, then what's to stop anyone wanting to kill all those who aren't productive anymore?
Also, trials going for the death penalty are so much more expensive than those that don't, that the interest earned on the money saved would pay for the upkeep.
All the thumbs down shows what a blood thirsty, stupid public is out there.
They seem perfectly OK with all the innocent people who get killed by an imperfect system. It makes me ashamed to be an American. Fairness in thought and protection of the innocent, just isn't a big thing in people here anymore. Too bad, this used to be such a great country! :-(
Finally, anyone that supports the death penalty is guilty of murder at least everytime someone innocent is put to death by the state (The RICO law!), and thus should be procecuted just as if they had been involved in the killing personally. If not, then the only thing that proves is, that might makes right. And that was already used by Hitler to full effect. Congratulations!!!

Answer 5

Well countries like Isreal have strict laws.....steal...they cut a finger off...steal again, hand is cut off. Murder...you die by firing squad. But guess what....lowest crime and murder rate (besides terrorist stuff) in the world.

Next you can read the Bible and it states "and eye for an eye" and it states to "follow the laws of the land created by man". So I take that as God is saying to do as Isreal is doing....for the crime, the punishment is the same and each nation should create such laws and all men under such nations shall obey them.

If some punk 15 yr old has a gun and thinks....I'm gonna rob this store and get me $300 bucks...knowing if caught he will get a few months in juvy and be back out. Where if he knew if caught he would be shot on sight since he used a gun in the crime....he might pick up the classifieds and seek a job instead. If not...1 bullet sure is cheaper than many months or years in any prison. Why should the masses have to pay the price for the wrong doings of a few?

Answer 6

Treason is a good reason to enforce capitol punishment. The traitor has jeopardized the entire population for his own reasons. I don't care if the traitor sold military secrets to North Korea or if he helped plan the 9/11 attacks; he has shown disreguard for the safety and well being of all 300-millon-plus of us. Your friends, family and even yourself could be in risk because a fellow American didn't care about us.

Otherwise, the death penalty might seem more of a revenge. I disagree. Sometimes people do things so disgusting that we well up with rightous anger. We cannot condone these types of behavior. Certainly life in prison without parole is a better revenge-if we actually made the convict suffer. Giving them access to an education, recreational equipment and food while doing nothing productive all day seems a bit unfair to us tax payers.

Answer 7

Death penalty can never change the outcome of the crime for the victim or the family. When someone is sentenced to death it is immediately appealed, so many are never executed. It is not right to take a life in any situation, death penalty included, but it is a necessary evil. Have a child - and when that child is placed into your arms for the first time, imagine someone telling you that he will be brutally murdered while trying to fight crime, or that she will be raped, tortured and killed before she is old enough to cross the street. Then ask yourself if you still feel the death penalty is not a good idea.

Answer 8

I am a proponent of the death penalty for many reasons. However, I must admit, that I have researched the issue and it is actually CHEAPER to house an inmate for life than it is to execute the inmate. This applies to Florida only. I do not know about the cost issues in other states. But, I assume they are pretty much in line with Florida.
As for my reasons there are many. One of which, I do not think it is right, and I will refer to Danny Rolling who was just executed in Florida, for an inmate who committed the atrocious acts that he did, to enjoy reliving the memories of his acts. Executing an inmate does not cause closure in the technical sense, however, many surviving family members feel better knowing the person who killed their loved ones is no longer able to breathe the same air and to enjoy life when they have deprived their victims of the same air and enjoyment of life. I know there are those who say that putting the inmate in prison for life is punishment enough. I disagree.
I am smart enough to know that for every argument for the death penalty, there is an argument against it. I also know that, like religious beliefs, it is useless to try to convince someone who is opposed to the death penalty, that it is right and they are wrong.

As an aside, I am a prosecutor in Gainesville, Florida, and was when Rolling mutilated the college students. So, yes, I am biased.

Answer 9

Death penalty is good in some cases. One family or the other will suffer true, but At least justice is served. I don't like the death penalty myself, but if it meant to dispose of someone for something bad they had done to one of my family members, than that would be enough closure knowing I wouldn't have my taxes going to feed and house the person that had done bad. For example....If they dismembered, killed, etc one of your family members, do you think it would be far that they live being fed everyday, housed, able to watch T.V., play activities, receive mail, have visitors, laugh, interact with others, etc?? Now why should they be allowed to have all this when all you can do is sit and constantly think of what they did to your family member??

Answer 10

I've always looked at it this way: If a person kills another, he should be punished. However, keeping that person in prison is very costly and it could lead to even more murders. many inmates in prison have the chance and opportunity to kill other inmates. They should not be given that chance. Also, the murderers in prison could easily attack and harm/kill corrections officers. I worked for a legal affairs department in a Dept. of Corrections, and guards are regularly attacked by inmates. the murderers shouldn't be given that opportunity.

Answer 11

You speak of "non closure" for the families, yet I can recall many a victimized family member being for the death penalty.
Not a convincing argument-----just an observation.