Thread: For those who believe in the death penalty

Originally Posted by Bonsay

Sorry to disappoint you both but I don't have any better system in mind since I am quite ignorant in the subject of politics. Bash me all you want and call me indoctrinated but the current system is unacceptable. What would be the driving force in socialism? Well currently the driving force is to not live like crap and die in the winter, can it get any worse?

Yes, it could get far worse. Socialism, communism, theocracy, and all other forms of totalitarianism would all make things way worse.

I don't see how plea bargains effect the cost difference; as they exist in non-capitol cases as well. The only argument I could see holding any water involving plea bargains is that with the death penalty as a possibility, they can plea to the lesser charge of life in prison without parole, whereas without the death penalty, the only option is to give them a plea that would allow them to go free eventually.

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

I don't see how plea bargains effect the cost difference; as they exist in non-capitol cases as well. The only argument I could see holding any water involving plea bargains is that with the death penalty as a possibility, they can plea to the lesser charge of life in prison without parole, whereas without the death penalty, the only option is to give them a plea that would allow them to go free eventually.

The fear of death is much stronger than the fear of a longer than otherwise prison sentence.

Is cost your only issue with capital punishment?

Cost is the only reason why I would be for the death penalty. If it alleviated pressure on an over taxed prison system and lowered the spending of tax payer money, I might see some merit to it; but it doesn't, and in fact only makes these matters worse however minimal you may think the increase is.

There really aren't any other possible up sides for it as far as I'm concerned. No matter what superficial emotional gain the victim's families think they might glean from seeing their loved one's murderer be put to death, it really won't help them and will just hurt more people.

I heard yesterday that the united states has more people in prison than any other country in the world. I think the problems with our legal system are far reaching enough that killing off less than a hundred inmates a year is not going to make difference for the better in any case.