Death Penalty
I see that a debate is on going in the US Supreme Court as to whether of not lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment. I find this disturbing and wondered how others felt.
First, why is the US Supreme Court even looking at this? Should this not be left up to each state just like the legality of the death sentence? Each state should be able to choose if and how the death penalty is carried out. Why is the federal government deciding this issue? Understanding that the Supreme Court’s only job is to intrepit the construction how can they say that hanging is cruel or unusual punishment when it was the method of chooses when the construction was written.
Second, What is the reasoning behind implementation of the death penalty? I don’t think it is revenge but it is to act as a deterrent to the worst of crimes. By knowing that the penalty may well be death, it is thought that some crimes will be prevented. This makes me wonder if maybe hanging in public may not act as more of a deterrent. If murderers and the likes are hung on the courthouse lawn and everyone in allowed to attend, then potential criminals will get to see first hand what will happen to them. It may make them think twice. And if deters one crime is it not worth having saved the life of a good person by the public execution of a convicted killer.
Third: Why not expand the list of crimes that warrant the death penalty. Like add home invasion to the list. Or even arson in some cases.
What are y’all’s thoughts on this. Am I barking up the wrong tree. Is it worth trying to push and write our congressmen about. How else are we going to get a handle on crime today. I just don’t know. I wonder if I sent this to the Supreme Court if they would read it. I wonder who over there to send it to and how to send it.