In 2010, 558 citizens in the state of Georgia were murdered (“Crime in United States.”), and two Georgian civilians were put to death by our government (“Execution List”). Capital punishment results in the death of an American citizen; the only difference is murder is illegal unless the government is holding the gun. Many individuals believe the death penalty is a deterrent to future crimes, but numerous think differently. The public view about capital punishment has been shown in polls and the majority would choose punishment over death (“Facts on the Death Penalty”). Even though the bulk of the population is pro life, thirty-four states allow the death penalty as the highest punishment. Even though the death penalty is said to be humane and does not “violate” government laws, many residents question if the government should have the authority to kil...
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“Execution List 2010.” Death Penalty Information Center. N.d. Web. November 25, 2011.
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“Financial Facts about the Death Penalty.” Death Penalty Information Center. N.d. Web.
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Horwitz, Elinor Lander. Capital Punishment USA. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincot, 1973. Print.
“Public Opinion: Gallup Poll Reports Lowest Support for Death Penalty in Nearly 40 Years.” Death Penalty Information Center. Gallup, October 13, 2011.Web. December 4, 2011.
Thoreau, David Henry. “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For.” The Language of Composition. Ed. Renee H. Shea, Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Dissin Aufses. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 276-281. Print.
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