Varying Viewpoints of Capital Punishment essays

Varying Viewpoints of Capital Punishment essays Capital punishment is an important issue because it deals with life, the value of life, and personal liberties. The death penalty has been in existence for as long as America has been a country. Execution was quite common in the early colonial days, with punishment of death resulting from such crimes as denying the "true God," lying, and stealing. Interestingly enough, the framers of the Constitution did not consider capital punishment cruel and unusual punishment. (Inciardi 488) The death penalty has always been a sensitive subject, sparking debate from all sides. Those who support capital punishment believe that it is a just and fair punishment for murder. They also believe that capital punishment serves as a deterrent for other would-be murderers. Those who oppose capital punishment believe that murder by the state is no different than murder on the street. They believe that lifetime prison sentences are fair justice. However, abolitionists have always maintained that the death penalty is wrong. In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was "unconstitutional because it was being administered in an arbitrary and capricious manner" (White 131). It is not cruel and unusual punishment because it "achieves to important social purposes, retribution and deterrence" (132). In fact, the majority of Americans considers the death penalty an acceptable means of punishment and 35 states practice it. (Death Liberals favor equality over freedom and oppose any government involvement that restricts individual liberties. They approve of government action that promotes equality among individuals. In regards to capital punishment, liberals feel that executing a murderer is a form of harsh punishment. Liberals favor the death penalty with 37 percent and 60 percent would rather see murderers serve life sentences in prison. (Death ...