An issue that is in constant debate is the death penalty, also known as capital punishment. As of right now, there are 36 states with the death penalty including the U.S. Government and Military. These states have certain statutes by which they can use the death penalty. For instance, Alabama may use capital punishment only for intentional murder with 18 aggravating factors. Though these limitations appear in the states that have legalized the death penalty, many U.S. citizens are still firmly convinced that capital punishment should be illegal.
A foundation for the rejection of this practice is the 8th Amendment. This Amendment clearly states that "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." It's no wonder that so many people don't support the death penalty. There is clear opposition to it in the previous statement alone. However, the afforementioned opinion stands not only on law, but on morals.
Human morality drives those who are against this practice. How is it that any government can find this practice morally correct? Though the law does not account for "gut feelings" and "personal emotion", we must still stop to ask ourselves how the dealth penalty can possibly be serving justice. For instance, if a man kidnaps and viciously murders a young girl, naturally, her parents will want to see him suffer as their daughter has. This "eye for an eye" mentality is what makes capital punishment seem acceptable. However, the U.S. government does not function under the ancient Code of Hammurabi. (The Code of Hammurabi is the first form of the law ever written. One of it's key points states, " If a man knock out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall be knocked out.") To kill a murderer is hypocritical. It is NOT justice. Instead, it justifies the crime in question. If a man is convicted as a muderer, the state feels that they then have the right to murder him.
To kill a killer only causes more pain to his family and those close to him. They are not at fault for the crime committed. They do not deserve to suffer for the relentless actions of their own kin. Justice cannot be served if pain is to be inflicted upon the innocent. Life in prison is the best solution. Seeing a killer suffer in jail for the rest of his life, knowing that every single day he must reflect upon the pain he has caused is more effective than watching him go to his death without an ounce of sorrow or remorse. Murders are vicious crimes. Let's prevent our government from causing more to happen.
I agree with much you say, except:
"A foundation for the rejection of this practice is the 8th Amendment. This Amendment clearly states that "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." It's no wonder that so many people don't support the death penalty. There is clear opposition to it in the previous statement alone. "
Um...there is absolutely nothing cruel about death, and other than birth, is the only usual thing in a person's life. We all do it. In fact, even people who never live, die. Children are often born dead. Never lived, but died. It's the most usual thing there is.
I do support the death penalty, but not for the idea of justice. It is for the idea of getting dangerous people away from people who might be in danger, and not making the taxpayers suffer in keeping them alive for 40 years in the hopes that the taste of blood will somehow vanish.
And I would only find comfort in knowing a family member who had killed had been sufficiently killed in return so as not to harm any more innocent people.
So really...I guess I don't agree with you.