THE DEATH PENALTY

The Death Penalty

The Death Penalty

The death penalty is a cruel and unusual punishment granted by our government. Many questions should be asked before making such a decision on someone else's life. Some of these questions would include: Does the death penalty serve as a deterrent to crime? If so? why are crime rates in the United States comparatively high? What are some other countries' responses to the death penalty? What is your position on the death penalty- should it be legal or should it be abolished? Why? Should youths who have been convicted of violent crimes be subject to the death penalty? Why or why not?

The death penalty is not a deterrent for criminals. The United States has a far higher murder rate than other countries that do not even have the death penalty. Of all the countries that have abolished the death penalty none have reported an increase in murders. America playing the tough role on crimes has gotten us nowhere. On December 2? 2005 the United States carried out its 1?000th execution? what a milestone to remember? murder by the hands of our government. No one should ever make a legal decision to kill. America needs to learn the value of life and stop putting death sentences on individuals. (Roybal, 2005)

Throughout America's history? the death penalty has been applied disproportionately to the poor and blacks. The death penalty? legal execution? has existed as long as has human culture. Capital Punishment? the death penalty? is punishment by death. This is the practice of the gas chamber? electrocution? lethal injection? hanging? or firing squad in the United States. In most cultures? this sentence is reserved for the most severe crimes? murder? violent sexual assault? and treason. But in some times and places? in both simple and sophisticated societies? punishments ...