POLITICS
America's Death Penalty Debate: Why It's Gone Missing
USAThu Dec 19 2024
America's debate over the death penalty has taken a strange turn. Instead of open discussions, those against capital punishment are using sneaky tactics to avoid a direct 'yes' or 'no' vote. They're doing things like pressuring drug companies to stop making lethal injection drugs or pushing presidents to pardon prisoners. Why? Because they know they'd lose in a fair debate. Polls show most Americans still support the death penalty. This all started when Bill Clinton was running for president in 1992. He made it clear he supported capital punishment. After that, both sides seemed to agree to disagree, but in different ways. The anti-death penalty crowd began working behind the scenes. This has led to a few problems. The number of executions has dropped, but the method has become rougher. States are using outdated or painful drugs. Plus, violent criminals know they might be defended by the "radical left. " So, prisons are filling up with dangerous murderers. If we only executed the worst of the worst, say one per week, it would take years to get through the current 2, 200 on death row. Many have horror stories attached to their crimes. So, the debate isn't happening, and justice is moving slow.
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questions
Why don’t we just ask the drug companies to make extra-strength lethal injections?
Is there a hidden agenda behind the anti-death penalty movement's indirect tactics?
How does the author's argument balance the need for justice with the potential for miscarriages of justice?
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