FromTheSouth
You don't want it with me.
This section has been awfully slow lately, and I like everyone's opinions on social issues, as long as we keep it to polite discussion and avoid some of the flaming that I know I have been a part of too.
In a society that values order, punishment must be an integral part of the justice system. The fear of state controlled retribution for those crimes committed is far and away the easiest way to maintain order in society, especially one where an individuals morals might not mesh with the prgression of society.
The most important value in any society is justice. In order for a society to function on any level, there must some sort of way of determining that which is fair and equitable. Any just society bases itself on three principles. The first is that all adults are equal under the law. The second is the rights of an offender must be restricted in strict accordance to the damages he causes. The third is that the courts and the state must carry out punishments, and not the offended party. Just retribution is measured by the theory or reciprocity. The democratic systems of today are based on the Lockean social contract which implies that we recieve rights in accordance to those which we tacitly consent to surrender for the common good. For example, I lose my natural right to kill my neighbor in competition for food. In return the government protects me from being killed. This contract is what seperates us from animals, along with vocal cords and thumbs.
Under the Lockean social contract, my life is no more important than your's. Therefore, if I kill you, then I deserve to be killed. Under the Lockean social contract, I have surrendered the right to kill in order to be protected from killers. If the government fails me, then they can be replaced through the vote, however, cannot be "voted off the island" if I upset the social order by murdering. The only way to ensure the maintence of the social order is to take my life. My life does not necessarily have to be taken by lethal injection or the electric chair. However, keeping me in jail places a burden on the tax payer, and allows me to educate other criminals.
Providing me with rehabilitation and treatment does not work. Recidivism rates increase every year. Coincidentally, more criminals are sent to rehab to cut time off of sentences every year.
The best way to reduce the burden on the tax payer, keep murderers off the streets, and maintain the social order promised by Democracy is to execute murderers.
Next, execution is the only proper response to murder. If one's rights are restricted to harshly in accordance to their crime, then the punishment is viewed as cruel and unusual. I cannot be given five years for jaywalking. However, giving too light of a sentence hurts society as a whole. An equitable justice system provides a fair sentence for the criminal, while doing it's best to provide just retribution for the victim and the victims' families. While it is true that an execution will not bring back the murdered family member, it does provide the closure necessary for some victim's family members to move on. There is no chance of this horrible murderer ever being back on the streets. No pardon will ever allow this man to further upset the social order.
Finally, the state must carry out all punishments. The idea of the state carrying out the punishment ensures that the criminal is killed without "rubbing it in" so to speak. A lethal injection is an effective way to end a criminal's life that is not, according to recent supreme court rulings, cruel and unusual. If the victim's families are allowed to carry out the execution, the social order is upset in that the killings would be brutal, forcing the criminal to suffer before, ultimately dying. One act of violence (the killing) is enough. We are not barbarians, we are merely protecting the unwritten contract between the government and it's people.
I look forward to the responses. I anticipate some of the arguments against me, and hope to hear some new ones.
And remember, this is more of a position paper than it is a reason to call me a redneck or an idiot. Just something to get some discussion going on in here.
In a society that values order, punishment must be an integral part of the justice system. The fear of state controlled retribution for those crimes committed is far and away the easiest way to maintain order in society, especially one where an individuals morals might not mesh with the prgression of society.
The most important value in any society is justice. In order for a society to function on any level, there must some sort of way of determining that which is fair and equitable. Any just society bases itself on three principles. The first is that all adults are equal under the law. The second is the rights of an offender must be restricted in strict accordance to the damages he causes. The third is that the courts and the state must carry out punishments, and not the offended party. Just retribution is measured by the theory or reciprocity. The democratic systems of today are based on the Lockean social contract which implies that we recieve rights in accordance to those which we tacitly consent to surrender for the common good. For example, I lose my natural right to kill my neighbor in competition for food. In return the government protects me from being killed. This contract is what seperates us from animals, along with vocal cords and thumbs.
Under the Lockean social contract, my life is no more important than your's. Therefore, if I kill you, then I deserve to be killed. Under the Lockean social contract, I have surrendered the right to kill in order to be protected from killers. If the government fails me, then they can be replaced through the vote, however, cannot be "voted off the island" if I upset the social order by murdering. The only way to ensure the maintence of the social order is to take my life. My life does not necessarily have to be taken by lethal injection or the electric chair. However, keeping me in jail places a burden on the tax payer, and allows me to educate other criminals.
Providing me with rehabilitation and treatment does not work. Recidivism rates increase every year. Coincidentally, more criminals are sent to rehab to cut time off of sentences every year.
The best way to reduce the burden on the tax payer, keep murderers off the streets, and maintain the social order promised by Democracy is to execute murderers.
Next, execution is the only proper response to murder. If one's rights are restricted to harshly in accordance to their crime, then the punishment is viewed as cruel and unusual. I cannot be given five years for jaywalking. However, giving too light of a sentence hurts society as a whole. An equitable justice system provides a fair sentence for the criminal, while doing it's best to provide just retribution for the victim and the victims' families. While it is true that an execution will not bring back the murdered family member, it does provide the closure necessary for some victim's family members to move on. There is no chance of this horrible murderer ever being back on the streets. No pardon will ever allow this man to further upset the social order.
Finally, the state must carry out all punishments. The idea of the state carrying out the punishment ensures that the criminal is killed without "rubbing it in" so to speak. A lethal injection is an effective way to end a criminal's life that is not, according to recent supreme court rulings, cruel and unusual. If the victim's families are allowed to carry out the execution, the social order is upset in that the killings would be brutal, forcing the criminal to suffer before, ultimately dying. One act of violence (the killing) is enough. We are not barbarians, we are merely protecting the unwritten contract between the government and it's people.
I look forward to the responses. I anticipate some of the arguments against me, and hope to hear some new ones.
And remember, this is more of a position paper than it is a reason to call me a redneck or an idiot. Just something to get some discussion going on in here.