Death Penalty the Debate Over

¶ … Death Penalty

The debate over the death penalty is one that is often driven by emotion when it should be driven by logic. Only when the argument becomes fueled by emotions, does it become irrational. When looked at logically and kept within perspective, the death penalty makes absolute sense on a society that understands law and measures made to enforce those laws. The death penalty is not an arbitrary action; it is punishment for a crime that is detestable and demands retribution. The benefits in favor of the death penalty include saving tax dollars, alleviating prison overcrowding, and closure for victims.

The most important thing to remember when dealing with murderers is the fact that they have committed a crime. The argument for innocence grows weaker everyday when technology can identify criminals beyond the question of the shadow of a doubt. Walter Berns believes that criminals should be expected to pay for their crimes. Society has a right to be angry with these criminals. Berns states, anger is a "very human passion because only a human being can be angry" (Berns qtd. In White 147). Criminals, especially murderers, are "properly the objects of anger," (148) because they are "perpetrators of terrible crimes" (148). Furthermore, Berns realizes that while men may feel anger, they are also capable of morality and, as a result, should respect the dignity associated with life. This includes not taking the life of others. When one does take the life of another, he or she has forfeited his right to that same kind of dignity. We should never forget that the death penalty is punishment for a serious crime. We live in a society that has always turned toward punishment for whatever reasons. Parents punish their children for wrongdoing and, as adults, we are expected to live according to certain codes of conduct. While we experience many freedoms, one of those is not taking the life of another person. There must be retribution and many believe that the punishment should fir the crime.

The benefits of the death penalty are great. Perhaps the greatest argument in its favor is the fact that it is the greatest deterrent on earth. Life in prison is simply not enough these days with prison life often being better than what some indigent, innocent people experience on the outside. Those guilty of murder should not be afforded three meals a day, health insurance, or shelter from the weather. Not in a prison paid for by tax dollars. To expect tax-paying citizens to pay to keep a murderer alive is ridiculous but it is done every day. In a day when the country's deficit is greater than it has ever been, those tax dollars could be put to better use. If capital punishment were enforced in every state, the problem of prison overcrowding would be alleviated.