Death Penalty?

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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.

[courts]

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?

it's possible yes. but if people live about as long (or longer) awaiting execution as people serving 20 to life the effect is lessened. anyway as loathsome as blair was i think his slogan 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' had a ring of truth to it. when you look at who is on death row or in prison for violent crimes an alarming number of them are child abuse victims (specifically brain damaged). what left wingers have to say about poverty and childcare/protective services and crime is actually, a somewhat valid point.