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I feel the death penality, although it has certain flaws, is overall an effective crime deterrent. Death penalities are not something that are done lightly and used only in the most horrible horrendous of crimes. Also, the accused have many chances at appeals. Even so, there are admittedly most likely some innocents who fall through the crack, which is a shame. But in my opinion it is the lesser of two evils, than having a man like Charles Manson out there on our streets after a few years and taking even more innocent lives.

The reason the death penalty is effective is 2 fold:

1.) It works as a warning, setting an example for those who think of commiting violent crimes. No one wants to die. Death is something that is inherrently scarey to all humans. We follow the law because we fear the consequences that might happen when we break it.

2.) It prevents violent killers from being out on parole. The way out system and jails work now, someone can murder someone and get back out on parole in 4-5 years and commit the same crimes again.

There are those who say that the Death penalty is wrong and only god has the right to judge others. To that I say, it is my opinion that once someone does something to violate someone elses rights (to life in this case) They also give up their rights.

Now a simple solution you may be thinking would be life in prison this is faced with 3 large problems

1.) Jail overcrowding. The jails in america are full of criminals, and if we all locked everyone up for life without parole, there would eventually not be enough resources to support this method.

2.) And where do you think those resources come from? Our tax dollars of course. In a time where america is already in a huge reccession, we can not afford any unnecessary tax increases.

3.) The Jails are too soft. Why should my tax dollars be paying for things like a swiming pool, cable tv, internet, and bowflexes for criminals? I don't have any of those things in my home and I'm a law abiding citizen and here I am paying for all of this for someone that raped and murdered 25 people? I don't think so, bucko.

So to me, the death penalty is the most effective solution. However it should only be used in the absolutely most extreme of cases.

Learn more about this author, Jenilee Dunson.
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