I would consider the taxpayers' money being waisted on programs like welfare (which probably costs much more than capital punishment). But that's just my stance on that issue. I'm surprised that you guys don't see the point that money shouldn't matter when it comes to programs that are right.

The military is costing us taxpayers' lots of money. Now don't go off about the war in Iraq...overall, the military is expensive. Should we rid of that system and go for something cheaper?? I'm sure you get my point now...Whatever is the best of interest should be taken, not which one would be cheaper. I would hope mostly everyone would agree with that.

I think the best way to debate capital punishment is to debate whether or not it is morally right. Money should not be an issue in this debate.

BOO YA!

I agree with you completely. Sadly we do seem to be moving towards a cheaper military, with 25000 personnel being cut from the Navy, huge cuts in new ship building, and 19000 more personnel being cut from the Air Force. We are being given more and more to do with less and less.

I would rather spend money providing food for kids than killing people, but that is just me.

It is wrong to intentionally kill defensless. Immoral.

There are many case of death row inmates later being proven innocent. Immoral.

It is inevitable that innocent people will be killed. Immoral.

Hanging and firing squads are still allowed in some states. Barbaric.

The majority of people on death row die from old age. Inefficient.

There is no direct link between decrease in crime and
capital punishment. Uneffective.

Does not solve anything. Uneffective.

[applause] RHS well said [/applause]

Why should we look at money in any debate then? If something is moral, we should disregard the cost. Free puppies and lollipops for everyone.

You are not being reasonable. Simply because we have won the dabate about the cost on capital punishment does not mean you can just side step the issue. This is a real issue. Money is a real factor. We should not waste it.

Oh by the way, here is a study that says 2/3 of death sentences are overturned.
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~gelman...ents/death.pdf

That shows that the death penalty is even more unefficient.

How much are we going to waste in a system that does not work, does not give the punishment, does nt stop crime, and kills innocent people?

If I am sentenced to death, I would choose the firing squad, it is not barbaric, it's a soldiers death, and it is honorable. I do not think it should be offered for many offenses.

That's why we need to adjust the system, to make it more efficient.

This is highly debatable.

At best now, you still have a practice that punishes and kills innocent people, kills defenseless, and has no direct link to a lowered crime rate.

Furthermore, a firing squad or hanging are barbaric. It is uncivilized and inhumane. And if I am going to have innocent people killed, it should at least be humanely.

Also, no you should not just "make it more efficient." We live in a country where people have a right to judicial review when accused of a crime. Innocent people are still being punished. If you just speed it up, more innocent people will fall through the cracks and die (though they would die faster...)

I did not step aside from this debate.

Many times in this thread people mentioned that capital punishment is too much money. So I responded...

That is fair enough, but there are still a lot of other issues besides cost.

That is true. I will agree with you there.