Death Penalty?

[Franzl]

Oppose, it has no place in a civilized country.

[Franzl]

So how would you explain that Europe has MUCH lower rates of violent crimes than America even though we don't use the penalty you believe criminals fear most?

[Franzl]

So how would you explain that Europe has MUCH lower rates of violent crimes than America even though we don't use the penalty you believe criminals fear most?

most studies i've seen on the matter indicate that the death penalty does have some deterrent effect (e.g. mocan, 2006). personally, i support the death penalty. in fact my position on this is pretty much what cassius just posted assuming he isn't just trolling you all. my main problem with it is that killers wait so long on death row and cost the tax payers so much with their unnecessary appeals that we might as well not have one.

So you're suggesting America's murder rate would be even higher than it already is without the death penalty?