Most people who support capital punishment do so for three reasons: 1. it acts as a deterrent, 2. it’s cheaper than housing murderers for the rest of their lives, and 3. the idea of “justice” – “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” – mostly Old Testament dogma (some of which was written on stoned tablets).
The first two reasons are demonstrably false – research shows just the opposite. So we’re left with the third, “justice” – and here’s where I get into trouble when I start thinking.
“Justice” in America means “for all” – equally. But we know that’s bullshit. To be executed in this country, you pretty much have to be poor, dumb, and a color other than white. Hell, O.J. could have BITTEN Nicole to death and if the police found him wandering the streets with her veins hanging from his bloody mouth, he STILL never would have been executed!
I don’t know why we, as a country don’t give murderers a third alternative besides execution or life-in-prison. The alternative? State-sponsored suicide. If someone is convicted of first degree murder, our laws could say,
“You have the option of spending the rest of your life – with NO chance of parole – in a little cage – OR you can take this blue pill and end everyone’s suffering.”
“We will never allow you to join our society again – but we won’t be as uncivilized as you and demand your murder. Here’s an alternative that might add some dignity to your atrocious life.”