Are you for or against the death penalty and why?

Question

I know this has been asked before. I want details as to why you are for it or against it or both. Even tho' you don't know my standing on the situation, convince me to follow your beliefs.

Answer 1

Capital punishment has been the subject of much debate simply because both sides feel that they have morality on their side. Those for the death penalty, such as myself, feel that it would be a greater injustice to have violent criminals add to our prison overcrowding and simply bring the violence into the prisons with them. Certain people can not be rehabilitated short of placing them in a catatonic state, which I'm sure all would agree would be far more cruel and unusual than the death penalty. I do greatly disagree with one former poster that "we have come a long way from the Old Testament days of an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth." I fail to see how he can compare progress to justice, an eye for an eye was just then and it is just now. I can see the point of view held by those against the death penalty that all murder is wrong, but I'm afraid I will never agree with that statement. I am happy Saddam Hussein was executed, I am happy that Ceausescu was executed by his people, people such as these men do not deserve to breathe the same air as you or I. I hope that I have in some way enlightened you to at least my perspective.

Answer 2

I believe that the death penalty is a DETERRENT regardless of those that deny it. It DEFINITELY is a deterrent to those that have been put to death. They will NOT rape and murder anymore victims. Farther more, if all states had it, I think many thugs would give their intentions to commit a crime where the punishment is DEATH farther consideration. There is no way to know how many murders and other vicious crimes would not be committed because of this but I'm positive there would be some. Another minor factor would be the financial savings. Instead of having to feed and clothe and house the convict for life, only a span of 15 or so years would be required so he could use up all his pleas.

Answer 3

I oppose the death penalty because it is not an effective way of preventing or reducing crime. Several answers you received are wrong on the facts, and some have nothing to do with the facts. Here are answers to some of the questions often asked about the practical issues connected with the death penalty system. The sources are listed below.

Isn't the death penalty cheaper than keeping criminals in prison?
The death penalty costs much more than life in prison. Much of the extra costs is due to the complicated nature of both the pre trial investigation and of the trials (involving 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court) in death penalty cases. At least one person who answered your question is wrong.

What about the risk of executing innocent people?
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having already served over 2 decades on death row.

Doesn't DNA keep new cases like these from happening?
DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides. It is not a guarantee against the execution of innocent people.

Doesn't the death penalty prevent others from committing murder?
No reputable study shows the death penalty to be a deterrent. Homicide rates are higher in states that have it than in states that do not. Most killers don't think about the consequences anyway. They do not think they will be caught (if they think at all.) One of the answers you received is wrong on this.

So, what are the alternatives?
Life without parole is now on the books in 48 states. It means what it says. Supermax prisons are terrible places to spend the rest of your life. Life without parole is less expensive than the death penalty.

What about the very worst crimes?
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Doesn't the death penalty help families of murder victims?
Not necessarily. Murder victim family members across the country argue that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

So, why don't we speed up the process?
Many of the 123 innocent people released from death row had already been there for over 2 decades. If the process is speeded up we are sure to execute an innocent person.

But don’t Americans prefer the death penalty as the most serious punishment?
Not any more. People are rethinking their views, given the facts and the records on innocent people sentenced to death. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning about the system and we are making up our minds based on facts, not eye for an eye sound bites.

Answer 4

I believe in the death sentence at the scene of the crime, when there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! It is wrong, that taxpayers have to foot the bill for a criminal to sit and rot in prison, that prisoner is alive and someone he/she killed, is not! If you take a life with malicious intent, that shows you have no love for life, and your life should be meaningless in any form also, no matter what someone or some religion says. I personally think it is sickening, that someone who has killed, has people rally around him/her to sound off against a death penalty, without any thought as to the person(s) who died, and how their family may feel! And if they are not put to death, I am all for pharmaceutical testing on them, no better way to test a product for humans than using a human, spare the lives of those precious rats and monkies!

Answer 5

I would be against on one condition- that the death penalty be replaced by solitary confinement for the rest of the life of the convict. No parole under any circumstances. I would like it even more if they could be shown in cages at the Zoo (with a full description of why they are there)

Answer 6

The power over life and death does not belong to us. That's why murder is a crime, and that's why the death penalty is a crime. As simple as that.

We have come a long way since the Old Testament days of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Answer 7

I'm against the death penalty simply because I don't think one human has the right to determine when and how another one should die. However, I've never been a victim of a violent crime, so I can't really say how'd feel if I was.

Answer 8

I doubt that I can convince you but I'm for the death penalty.

I think people who habitually murder have lost all rights of their own. People who continually do heinous crimes against children have lost all rights of their own. Certain people are dangerous to our society and there should be consequences for people's actions.

I think our society is too easy on criminals. Some people should have the book thrown at them and not a light tap on the wrist.

Answer 9

I really can't see how so many are so eager to deal in judgment and retribution. They automatically put themselves on a pedestal above the common lot of peoples. If they are so eager to deal in the business of death, then why do they pursue life? If you believe that men should be put to death for crimes against others, then surely your own crimes will require the same retribution you exact from others. You think that only the law of men is at work here, but be warned, O you who seek death upon another; for with the same judgment you exact upon another will surely come back to require its payment from you.

Answer 10

I have no desire to convince you one way or the other. I am for the death penality. I have heard that old crap about killing an inocent man. I would sure hate to do that, but I really hate paying to keep some murder and rapist alive for 40 or 50 years. Execute them, and save me money. Make some room, for the next killer.