True or False: The Constitution protects against the Death Penalty?

Question

"... We are endowed by out creater with certain unalieable rights, which among these is Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..."

Tell me what you think.

Answer 1

1. That is the Declaration of Independence.
2. The Constitution speaks of forbidding that "any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb". Since jeopardy of life is specifically mentioned, the death penalty is Constitutionally acknowledged as possible.

Answer 2

The Constitution has been rendered all but useless by criminals that act like rabid animals, thus they are void of human rights by their various acts against humanity! We, does not include reptiles and those that have chose to lead a reptilian life in a world of kill or be killed, while living among and within the human race! False: The Constitution does not protect against the death penalty whether you be murderer or victim! In truth the Constitution has been rendered a useless, moot piece of paper with no value what so ever! There was a time when it was a highly prized document that guided the United States of America! The US Constitution has been trashed and gutted, by the US Supreme Court and reptilian criminals have preyed upon society ever since without any real punishment as in past years! Criminals have more rights and protections, than their victims...thus all that right to life, Liberty and pursuit of happiness is nothing more than a false mumble-jumble, hocus-pocus, flim-flam false statement!

Answer 3

The sentence you quoted is in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. However,the Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional for juvenile criminals or those people with mental retardation. In both these cases, it referred to the 8th Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment. There are other, more practical, concerns about the death penalty actually functions.

Answer 4

By your interpretation, the Constitution also protects us, the innocent citizens, from murder at the hands of other citizens. Of course...it doesn't work that way at all.

As far as I'm concerned, the moment you murder someone you forfeit all your rights as a citizen of this nation. Not only do I support the death penalty, I believe they should bring back public executions so the citizens of this nation see the murderers and rapists being executed.

The problem with this nation is that we're so insulated against death, that hearing about executions doesn't phase us anymore. We see death everyday on TV, movies, in music...it's part of our everyday life, and we know that it's all staged on television, in music, and in movies. So when we read about a murderer being executed...it doesn't phase us.

Reintroducing public execution (preferably by hanging or firing squad, to tie in with the "romantic" ages of this nation that was popularized by Westerns and old war movies) is the way to go. Not only would it show those who would premeditate murder or rape what would happen if/when they're caught, it would also demonstrate to the average citizen that the government is finally taking a hardline stance against these criminals.

Other nations may see it as barbaric - but history says it's effective. The biggest example is the so-called Wild West of the 1800s. While Hollywood may have dramatized it as a highly violent area and period of time, written history is quite the opposite. It was peaceful and quiet for the most part, with lawbreakers swiftly punished and the public saw the punishments happen and knew they were protected by the law.

Answer 5

Our Supreme Court is supposed to interpret & uphold the Constitution... So if we have a Death Penalty- THEY must think it's Constitutional. If YOU disagree, -then VOTE next year- for THAT Candidate who would select Justices who believe as You do. It's the "American Way". :)

Answer 6

False.

The phrase you quote isn't in the Constitution. It's in the Declaration of Independance, which isn't part of US law.

The Constitution only prohibits "Cruel and Unusual" punishments, and the Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty is not in itself cruel and unusual.

Richard

Answer 7

Well, the legislature doesn't think so, they pass the laws. The courts don't think so, they uphold the laws as being constitutional. The executive branch doesn't think so; it carries out the sentence.

On top of that, your quote isn't in the Constitution, it's in the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 8

When I think about this kinda stuff, I think that most of the stuff written down is primitive anyways, Doesnt include enough information. Or maybe it's better this way but anyways It's a 50 50 thing to me just depends on what the person did I think. It's on the I doesn't say you can't but doesn't say you can basis.

Answer 9

Well, obviously, it doesn't mean exactly that, otherwise there would be nobody in the prisons (freedom gone).... Eye for an eye mentality when it comes to the death penalty... I suppose they figure that these killers will just kill innocent people again so why not get rid of them permanently? Problem solved?

Answer 10

Is that even in the constitution??

I thought that was the declaration of independence