Should murderers be sold into slavery?

[A18]

Just a hypothetical. Not only would it would be a deterrent, it would help the economy.

[MasterJedi]

No, I'll have to say: Another dumb poll. -_-

[Emsworth]

No, of course not.

Ownership of a slave would imply complete authority over the individual, as over one's property. If the "owner" has the authority to severely whip, torture, or otherwise inflict greivous harm on the criminal, then the Eighth Amendment is implicated. (Sure, the Thirteenth Amendment allows slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. However, it is only forced labor which is authorized as a punishment; torture, and the like, are not permitted, but are still prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.)

Rather than selling them as slaves, simple hard labor would suffice.

[Jake]

They should either be tortured or used as slaves by the United States. Either will suffice.

[Dave from Michigan]

no

[Max Power]

What the hell

[Cubby]

They should either be tortured or used as slaves by the United States. Either will suffice.

that makes me sick. And you call yourself an American. You and A18 should be ashamed of yourselves.

[© tweed]

No.

[DanielX]

No. If a murderer is sufficiently dangerous (and committed crimes sufficiently heinous - ie first-degree murder, multiple counts of pedophilia, war crimes of a genocidal nature, gross treason) that they are deemed to be unworthy of basic human rights (or perhaps more accurately, they are too great of a threat to the human rights of others), then it is more sensible (and humane) to execute them, rather then let them live in an inhuman state.

[MaC]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

[Gabu]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

[A18]

Here's what I'm thinking… instead of being 'sold' into slavery, they can be slaves of the state, and the government can rent them out to businesses in exchange for a service fee. The businesses would not be allowed to inflict 'cruel and unusual punishment' upon them, so this overcomes the Eighth Amendment issue.

More importantly, taxes could be lowered in proportion to the amount of money raised by this.

[Citizen James]

Here's what I'm thinking… instead of being 'sold' into slavery, they can be slaves of the state, and the government can rent them out to businesses in exchange for a service fee. The businesses would not be allowed to inflict 'cruel and unusual punishment' upon them, so this overcomes the Eighth Amendment issue.

More importantly, taxes could be lowered in proportion to the amount of money raised by this.

Actually, lesser criminals are often used for various manual labor to benefit the state.  The term commonly used it 'community service', and it is often used for first time offenders in nonviolent crimes.  Murderers and the such would probably be too much of a flight risk to put on a cleanup crew or a chain gang though.

I think 'renting them out' wouldn't be appropriate though.  We wouldn't want to be dependent on them should the crime rate drop. Then again, I suspect you are less interested in rehabilitation or even just punishment as much as you simply want to own a slave of your own.

[12th Doctor]

No, not onyl is is unethical and immoral, it doesn't make sense.  Who in the Hell would want to buy a murderer as a slave?  They would have to constantly watch their backs.

[J. J.]

Here's what I'm thinking… instead of being 'sold' into slavery, they can be slaves of the state, and the government can rent them out to businesses in exchange for a service fee. The businesses would not be allowed to inflict 'cruel and unusual punishment' upon them, so this overcomes the Eighth Amendment issue.

More importantly, taxes could be lowered in proportion to the amount of money raised by this.

Actually, lesser criminals are often used for various manual labor to benefit the state.  The term commonly used it 'community service', and it is often used for first time offenders in nonviolent crimes.  Murderers and the such would probably be too much of a flight risk to put on a cleanup crew or a chain gang though.

I think 'renting them out' wouldn't be appropriate though.  We wouldn't want to be dependent on them should the crime rate drop. Then again, I suspect you are less interested in rehabilitation or even just punishment as much as you simply want to own a slave of your own.

I actually agree that anyone imprisoned should be required to work (that is able) and I would include murderers, where applicable.  I could see murderers having to break rocks in the bottom of a quarry 8-10 hours a day, surrounded by barbed wire.  If they are being "rented out," I wouldn't have a problem with it.

[MaC]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

Silly liberal Canuck, they can still knife you or stangle you in your sleep.

[Bono]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

Silly liberal Canuck, they can still knife you or stangle you in your sleep.

Or poison you.

[Gabu]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

Silly liberal Canuck, they can still knife you or stangle you in your sleep.

Or poison you.

You two have no idea what a joke is.  I added a smiley and everything to try to flag this fact.

[Bono]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

Silly liberal Canuck, they can still knife you or stangle you in your sleep.

Or poison you.

You two have no idea what a joke is.  I added a smiley and everything to try to flag this fact.

Normally a joke is funny. Maybe that's what threw us off.

[Peter]

Clearly the only people interested in "buying" them will be people lacking in morals and sense, but having lots of money and a use for the slaves.

So, we're honestly going to justify selling murderers to Opebo?

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Sold into slavery to whom?  This could be a huge security disaster.  Dangerous criminals need to be kept in prison so they will not kill again, not put back on the streets even if it is to work under someone else's command.

Although I agree that criminals should be forced to spend most of their time doing hard labor.  It seems like prisoners have far to much free time to me, although that it just my impression from Tv and movies and such.

[Democratic Hawk]

Sold into slavery to whom?  This could be a huge security disaster.  Dangerous criminals need to be kept in prison so they will not kill again, not put back on the streets even if it is to work under someone else's command.

Although I agree that criminals should be forced to spend most of their time doing hard labor.  It seems like prisoners have far to much free time to me, although that it just my impression from Tv and movies and such.

Exactly. I'm dead certain I wouldn't want to own any murderers as slaves

Dave

[Hitchabrut]

No, they should be "enslaved" by the bullets of the firing squad.

[John Dibble]

No, but some form of involuntary servitude should be applied.

[MaC]

lol, despite the 13th Amendment, I still say no because those who've murdered once might murder their masters.

Not if you took away their guns!

Silly liberal Canuck, they can still knife you or stangle you in your sleep.

Or poison you.

You two have no idea what a joke is.  I added a smiley and everything to try to flag this fact.

I knew you were joking, hence the phrase "silly liberal Canuck".