Death Penalty- Your view?

[Sarchikani]

My view is no death penalty at all.

Now let me explain, I am a firm believer in the fact that humans do not have the right to decide when someone should die. In my opinion, sitting in jail rotting away is just a big of a punishment as being put to death. Now people will argue that keeping people alive in jail costs a ton of money and I agree with that. But the death penalty is not cheap, cheaper than keeping the person in jail but the legal fees still cost a ton.

My other point is that rich people seem to get away with many crimes that poor people who can't afford a good lawyer would be sentenced to death for. O.J Simpson was found innocent, despite a majority of the public believing he was guilty. The rich who can afford good lawyers never seem to be treated as equals with innocent regular citizens.

My other problem is that if you give the government the power to kill, then it is implied that the government has powers short of that. I do not trust the government with such immense powers like this mainly because with power comes corruption. I don't want it to escalate into the government using this power more and more each day. The government uses it's power to punish it's enemies, but the enemy of the government is not necessarily our enemy. Every piece of power the government gains will be abused in some way to make the government stronger.

And now the more pressing issue, one that has occurred in the past and will occur more in the future as technology advances. The use of DNA forensics has found that certain individuals accused of crimes have been found innocent after further research. Well that's good, let's release them from jail.... oh wait we already killed them. This has happened in the past, and like I said, will grow into a bigger problem since we are better able to solve murders or other crimes. This is one reason why we should leave people in jail, in hopes that one day, they may be proven innocent if that is what they claim.

Now this part is for people who live in the United States so I apologize if this doesn't apply to you. Capital punishment has never been a part of the Constitution. Therefore, it is not up to the Federal government, the power belongs with the States. So I guess at best, each state can make its mind up based on the people who live there. All I know is that I am glad to live in a state that is against the death penalty.

We can't pick and choose who lives and who doesn't.

 

[Ikanacanyon7]

My view is no death penalty at all.

Now let me explain, I am a firm believer in the fact that humans do not have the right to decide when someone should die. In my opinion, sitting in jail rotting away is just a big of a punishment as being put to death. Now people will argue that keeping people alive in jail costs a ton of money and I agree with that. But the death penalty is not cheap, cheaper than keeping the person in jail but the legal fees still cost a ton.

My other point is that rich people seem to get away with many crimes that poor people who can't afford a good lawyer would be sentenced to death for. O.J Simpson was found innocent, despite a majority of the public believing he was guilty. The rich who can afford good lawyers never seem to be treated as equals with innocent regular citizens.

My other problem is that if you give the government the power to kill, then it is implied that the government has powers short of that. I do not trust the government with such immense powers like this mainly because with power comes corruption. I don't want it to escalate into the government using this power more and more each day. The government uses it's power to punish it's enemies, but the enemy of the government is not necessarily our enemy. Every piece of power the government gains will be abused in some way to make the government stronger.

And now the more pressing issue, one that has occurred in the past and will occur more in the future as technology advances. The use of DNA forensics has found that certain individuals accused of crimes have been found innocent after further research. Well that's good, let's release them from jail.... oh wait we already killed them. This has happened in the past, and like I said, will grow into a bigger problem since we are better able to solve murders or other crimes. This is one reason why we should leave people in jail, in hopes that one day, they may be proven innocent if that is what they claim.

Now this part is for people who live in the United States so I apologize if this doesn't apply to you. Capital punishment has never been a part of the Constitution. Therefore, it is not up to the Federal government, the power belongs with the States. So I guess at best, each state can make its mind up based on the people who live there. All I know is that I am glad to live in a state that is against the death penalty.

We can't pick and choose who lives and who doesn't.

Well, from where I see it, a crimminal that murdered, lost their right to not get their death decided, the moment they did the exact same thing to another person, when they murdered they acted against that same right that you use to defend that person, now is that fair for the dead person?

 

[Sarchikani]

Well, from where I see it, a crimminal that murdered, lost their right to not get their death decided, the moment they did the exact same thing to another person, when they murdered they acted against that same right that you use to defend that person, now is that fair for the dead person?

Well it may not necessarily be fair but it still gives us no right to put someone to death. If someone commits a murder, yes they deserve the same thing to happen to them, but I believe that humans do not have the right to kill another human regardless of what they did. I hate to use such a cliche answer but I have to, if we kill people that killed people, are we really any better than them?

 

[KingofGrapes]

What if someone was put to death penalty then after they die that someone was actually innocent

 

[Ikanacanyon7]

Well it may not necessarily be fair but it still gives us no right to put someone to death. If someone commits a murder, yes they deserve the same thing to happen to them, but I believe that humans do not have the right to kill another human regardless of what they did. I hate to use such a cliche answer but I have to, if we kill people that killed people, are we really any better than them?

I see where you come from. but the thing is, we arent any better than them by getting putting them under death penalty, but actions are judged by the intentions behind them, what its is that makes you do that; and there it is where you can find the difference and the justification for death penalty. Because when that is done, its being dont to give closure to the families of the victims and the safety of any potential future victims.

 

[Col_StaR]

I'd be in favor of the death penalty for incarcerated persons, but only if we do so in this very specific way.

One word:

I actually do think a lot about this topic, but it'd take a lot more time and research than I have now. A 5 page dissertation on this topic almost got be kicked out of a Sociology class, just to give you an idea.

 

[Ikanacanyon7]

I'd be in favor of the death penalty for incarcerated persons, but only if we do so in this very specific way.

One word:

I actually do think a lot about this topic, but it'd take a lot more time and research than I have now. A 5 page dissertation on this topic almost got be kicked out of a Sociology class, just to give you an idea.

Well I wouldnt mind reading those 5 pages!

 

[BitoBain]

As much as we humans shouldn't ever have to choose whether or not someone else lives, we also have a responsibility to protect each other. It is not humane to keep someone in jail forever when they likely do not want to live. If a dog is extremely sick and in a lot of pain, we put if down so it does not have to end its life on a bad note. Money should not be a factor because a life is priceless. (A baby born with disabilities may have millions of dollars worth of surgery.)

For those of you who say that we are hypocrites when we give someone the death penalty, that is not necessarily the case. If Carl steals Sydney's toy, and their mother takes the toy from Carl and gives it back to Sydney, that does not make the mom a thief, she is merely dealing justice. If a government deals justice to a criminal, that also does not corrupt the government. Not only that, it is the responsibility of a government to protect its people. People who are likely to cause a lot of harm in the world and kill a lot of people should be dealt with, so that innocent people are not hurt and killed.

Who should receive it? Not very many people. As mentioned, only seriously destructive people who could cause a lot of misery for others. That mainly includes serial killers, terrorists, and those responsible for war crime and genocide. Even if someone has a mental disability, (Hitler) they should be kept away from innocent people, whether it be by jail or the death penalty. It is also important to note that someone should be 100% convicted of a crime before they receive the death penalty. There should be no doubt whatsoever, as once someone is dead, there is no going back.

There is also the difficult question of whether or not allowing the death penalty gives the government too much power. During Stalin's reign, he executed and banished millions of people, (more than Hitler) usually because they posed a threat to the government of the country, or because they said/printed things against The U.S.S.R. or communism in general. It would have been better if there had been someone or something there to point out that the death penalty was too harsh and unnecessary, but Joseph Stalin was paranoid and power-hungry. To this day, you can still get the death sentence in Russia for drinking and driving, if I'm not mistaken.

However, despite the gruesome example of Russia's past, I think most countries in the world today would not abuse the death penalty. It is more of a protective measure. People who live with the intent of committing pure violence or serving an ignobal cause should be captured at least. If they continue to cause issues or have risk of being rescued while in jail and still have a desire to hurt innocent people, they should receive the death penalty. That is a rare case, and probably less than 1,000 people in the world every year truly deserve it.

 

[Eagle37]

I'm not sure about my personal view but my Dad says that if you kill somebody on purpose, then you should die as well. I don't know if I agree with him 100%, but yea...

 

[Manos]

OhFancy I think you should include this question in the main post

Would you be the judge to sentence someone to death?

 

[Professor Nub]

If they knew what they were doing and willingly killed someone, then I believe the death penalty is fair. Otherwise, if they had a mental instability or it was in self-defence, other consequences have to be sought out.

 

[TheHauntedClan]

I'm not sure if this was brought up yet but some people would rather death than a life sentence but have you ever thought about death not being a great enough punishment?