I'll outline my basic opposition to the death penalty:
1. Is it not an effective deterrent against crime. While there is no empirical data to justify the claim, I think the comparative rates of crimes in capital punishment vs. non-capital punishment states is negligible. If we look further at countries, then this is even more negligible.
2. There is always a degree of doubt in the verdict of a jury. If one human being is innocently executed in my name then I'm not comfortable having any human being be killed. Remember that states draw their legitimacy from the monopoly of force (in other words, they can kill and not get punished) and any coercion is done in the name of the citizens.
3. It is not cost-effective. Studies have shown that it costs the taxpayer more to kill someone than to incarcerate them for life.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-death-penalty
4. The idea of an eye for an eye is a little outdated. The cliche Ghandi quote still applies, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."
So what does society get for killing people?
---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:16 PM ----------
I find this very strange, and if it's true, then we need to find new and more efficient ways to kill people (there's a hint of sarcasm there).
Keeping someone clothed, fed, and in good health for the rest of their life would easily cost several hundred thousand dollars, I think. Yay for burdens on society, and criminals getting a free ride in life.
You can thank the United States Constitution for that. Take it up with Madison.