PreparationH said:

Isn't the death penalty more expensive than life in prison?

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Kid_Orgo said:

I think the only humane method of execution should be gunshot to head at close range by surprise. Costs almost nothing (except for cleanup). No agony of waiting, no eye contact for the executioner, no element of revenge. Disposal of waste as expediently as possible.

I used to think that execution was wrong given that we could never be sure that the person had it coming, and that any justice system administered by people would have to be flawed and thus couldn't take that step.

I was wrong.

If I discard notions of an absolute morality (which I do), I must come to the conclusion that justice exists as a social necessity to keep things moving. My rights are only limited by the rights of others, including a right to an orderly society. We know that the death penalty is not a deterrent, so I won't argue for it on that basis. I argue for the death penalty because imprisonment is worse than death, it coarsens the soul. It is also more expensive, and the end result is a worse criminal with less employment prospects.

Therefore, I propose the following justice system:

Rehabilitation or execution.

You steal a car. You go to jail where you are taught job skills via labor. You are counseled. You are informed that repeat offenders are shot and incinerated.  You are released and it is illegal to discriminate against you. You do not reoffend.

Execution should be extended to violent rapists and child molesters. I think there should be some level of corporate malpractice that should merit execution. Your company carelessly ruins an entire Gulf's ecosystem? Board of directors shot and incinerated.


EDIT: This is a humane alternative to the truly anarchist way of dealing with things: killing those who offend you personally. I don't see a way around a need for a judicial system save that.

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Brainiac said:

You kill someone, you should go out the same way as the victims...

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