Do you know we share something in common with China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Sudan?

Question

"The U.S. also is among the world leaders in capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, its 53 executions in 2006 were exceeded only by China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Sudan."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080229/ap_o...

Isn't there a more valuable use of our money (taxes) and most valuable resources (people)?

I don't have the answer...but I'm sure there's a better one than being in the company that we're in.

I know it's not a popular subject. It's not meant to "preach" or judge, just to inform and spark a little thought. So before you answer and start with the "thumbs down", please take a moment to read the report..pause for thought...then speak (type).

In other words "Chill Before You Spill."

Hey, I just made that phrase up. I like it! :D

Answer 1

Didn't give execution figures for Saudi Arabia or Russia did you. How about murder rate per 100,000 comparison- as in Jamaican figure of 2005 64/100,000 from Wiki. Mexico says doesn't do death penalty- what is it's murder rate. The death penalty in some states is not official state execution, but a state tolerated violence level higher than US official execution rate.

Answer 2

To be honest, I have not read the report, but I really don't have to in order to give you some insight as to why the U.S. continues to institute the death penalty.

There is a strong appeal that those who commit murder in the most heinous manner, should be put to death. During the sentencing phase of someone who is facing the death penalty, the family members of the victim are allowed to speak to the judge and jury in order to ensure that the person who killed their loved one is properly punished.

For the victims families, this is what brings a sense of justice and closure. If having the murderer put to death, brings them peace and closure, then I have no real reason to deny them that. I am against the death penalty, but then again -God forbid- if someone in my family was murdered, I may actually want the murderer to be put to death...maybe.

So, to answer your question, it's not that we can spend our tax dollars on something more positive, then executing people, bur rather, we do not want to put a price on justice for the families of the victims. We cannot say, "we want to save money, so even though you want this person to be executed for killing your loved one, we think we should save the money and let him live out his life, while your loved one lays buried in the ground".

Granted, we should rise above the vengeful notion of executing those who kill our loved ones, but then again, I have never been put in that position...I may give rise to the notion of revenge for killing my loved one.

Hope this helps you to see the other side.

S.T.

Answer 3

What American have in common with them is money and who can rip who off first.

Answer 4

Great question.

Well, as China Iran Pakistan Sudan and Iraq are not real democratic countries, or I suppose so, it's not surprising to get such figures.

Meanwhile, as America claims to be the most powerful country, and one amongst the most democratic, there's certainly something to think about.

Answer 5

I have no problem executing people who deserve it (murderers, rapists, child molesters), my only problem is that it takes to long to get done, there are to many 2nd and 3rd court hearings on the case, and then the cost of electrocuting someone.  People should get a 2nd hearing to bring in new evidence and then, if still found guilty, the should  be placed in front of a firing squad, or hung, within 90 days.

Answer 6

You are absolutely correct.  On a strictly pragmatic level the death penalty is wrong.

You don't have to sympathize with criminals or want them to avoid terrible punishments for terrible crimes to ask if the death penalty prevents or even reduces crime, to look at alternatives and to think about the risks of executing innocent people. Sources below.

127 people on death rows released with proof that they were wrongfully convicted. DNA, available in less than 10% of all homicides, can’t guarantee we won’t execute innocent people.

The death penalty doesn't prevent others from committing murder. No reliable study shows the death penalty deters others. To deter others a punishment must be sure and swift. The death penalty is neither. Homicide rates are higher in states and regions that have it than in those that don’t.

We have a good alternative, life without parole, on the books in 48 states. It means what it says. It is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Life without parole costs less than the death penalty.

The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, mostly because of the legal process which is supposed to prevent executions of innocent people.

The death penalty isn't reserved for the worst crimes, but for defendants with the worst lawyers. It doesn't apply to people with money. When is the last time a wealthy person was on death row, let alone executed?

The death penalty doesn't necessarily help families of murder victims. Murder victim family members have testified that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

Problems with speeding up the process. Over 50 of the innocent people released from death row had already served over a decade. Speed up the process and we will execute innocent people.

Answer 7

And you have the most people in jail or prison. It's possible to be shoot by the police, gangs or random psychos pretty much anywhere. The US government likes to over throw socialistic elected governments and puppets they have put in place that no longer follow orders.

What a shining example for the world to follow.

Answer 8

I do agree.  However, I read just last night that 1-in-100 people in this country are in JAIL.  1 in 100!  That knocked my socks off.  That is indicative of something really basic and serious going on that isn't being addressed.  Seems to me we spend millions on some pretty stupid "studies" in this country...why can't they spend our money on something truly important?  As it it these "studies" are just another industry that cost us even more in the cost of jailing people and the cities, towns and states are choking from  the cost of it all.  I hate to admit it ...but the rest of the world my be closer to the truth than we are willing to admit.  We are a violent nation.  

Great question!

Answer 9

Better to be in a class with China, Iraq, and Pakistan (our military and economic allies) then Great britain, France, or Germany.