The death penalty, or capital punishment, is given to criminals who commit crimes, such as murder, treason, sabotage, and in some cases sexual abuse/assault of a minor. The topic of killing someone for his or her wrong doings has been a debate in the United States for a while. People against it say it is inhumane, and that life is precious, that the criminal can repent and change. While the other party suggests that criminals who commit certain crimes should be given the highest punishment so that it will protect our country more. The death penalty should be a nationwide act with sooner affect rather than later, to make our country a safer place.
Pro capital punishment citizens see this as a warning to other criminals. "In a larger sense, capital punishment is the ultimate warning against all crimes" (flamehorse). People who commit crimes usually know the consequences of what their actions will be. If there is a nationwide statement for all states that if you take a life, and you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you will die. Knowing this, no one would take a life, for the fear of
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One major alternative to the death penalty, and widely used, is life in prison without parole. Being "...in prison, and despair about their lack of freedom"(flamehorse) should be enough for some lawful citizens to be happy. Others do not believe that capital punishment does not send a message to criminals. The criminals will continue to do the crime regardless.
The picture shown above is an easily interpreted cartoon. It shows the criminal being afraid by finding a way to get out of death by saying that "life is sacred". Though it fails when the officer says "exactly." The officer is referring to the citizens that will never be harmed by this man ever again. The picture is out of date; the United States does not use the gas chamber anymore, only lethal