BoppWeBlog

In my previous post I touched on this. But I’d like to talk about it even further. I can’t say that this is an area in which I am very passionate. But it does seem pretty straightforward, and I’m very puzzled as to why it is even an issue here in the U.S. If you haven’t guessed already I’m against punishment.

There are actually very few countries that still allow this in the world today. So how is a country that claims to be on the cutting edge of technology and human rights still allowing this? Have we not evolved far enough to realize that killing doesn’t solve anything? Ninety seven percent of all executions in 2004 happened in four countries - Iran, China, Vietnam, and the U.S. The states that still allow this do not have less violent/death worthy crimes. In fact, in general they have more. Perhaps these states have always had a bigger problem with crime, thus ‘needing’ the death penalty. But it is unlikely. Consider, for example, the fact that crime dropped by 20% in Canada after it dropped the death penalty.

Another popular argument is the cost to the taxpayers. In actuality, it costs on average as much to execute someone as it does to hold them in prison for 40 years.

Human life is sacred. There is only so much ‘justice’ that can be done here on earth. Leave the rest to God.

Family and friends who hope to find closure in this final punishment for the ‘evildoer’ I would have to imagine only end up living much of their life dwelling and obsessing over vengeance.

And finally, most importantly, rather than deterring violence in our country and world, it mearly feeds the complicated social problem, worsening the climate of violence in the worl.

Most everyone would say they believe in the sanctity of life. Why then, when it comes to our political parties, does one side pick some areas and not others? There are many issues here in America that I believe fall in this category (all of which I’ll write about separately). Abortion. Capital Punishment. War.

What puzzles me is why Democrats can claim concern for life by citing the war and the tragedy of lost lives. And democrats talk about capital punishment and the inhumanity of it, especially in a western society. But they don’t address abortion. They ambiguously brush against it in conversation, very careful to avoid that road. How could you not? I’ll be the first to agree that it is far from a simple problem with a simple solution. It’s not just overturning Roe V Wade. It’s a huge toxic problem in our culture. But discussion does need to take place, and the problem DOES need to be addressed.

The same applies to the GOP. They will debate to no end, the issue of abortion. But why not talk about capital punishment? An eye for an eye? Come on… This doesn’t even begin so solve or rectify any problem related to serious and violent crimes. More on that later…

The same goes for war. ‘Though shalt not murder’. Doesn’t this mean killing in any form? Or are there ‘loop holes’? There appear to be in the minds of many Americans.

I guess my point is - if we’re going to talk about one area with regards to the value of life, then in order to be valid we should talk about all areas. It seems like the only credible thing to do. We can’t pick and choose. Props to both sides for taking up the issues, but it sure would be nice to all agree, or at least engage in conversation all the issues.