Capital Punishment In The United States

1. Most of the democratic countries of the world have abolished capital punishment. Indeed, it was only recently (2005) that the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to sentence a person to death for a crime he committed while younger than 18. For older offenders, however, the United States continues to execute convicted criminals. Why do you think the United States practices capital punishment?

I think this is to give a chance to criminals that are not adult yet, to have a chance to redeem themselves as they are still immature and don’t understand the consequences. However, as the Government tries to lower the crime rate in United States. Capital Punishment remains for adults to, hopefully scare people into not committing crime.

2. If other countries had America’s crime rate, do you think their citizens

would want capital punishment?

I think, overall, people don’t like capital punishment at all. I think the citizens would disagree as they don’t want to live in fear. However, the government will definitely consider it, as it sounds effective.

3.

Should we draw the line according to age or severity of the crime? Why or why not?

I personally think we should, as people who are younger tend not to think enough before acting. Also, a theft is definitely way different than a murder. So I think we should draw the line according to age and severity of the crime. Or else there is no different between us and dictator. However, I think if the crime is severe enough, even if the criminal is under 18, they should be treated same. Such as rape and intentional murder.

4. Why have most of the advances in civil rights come through the federal courts and not through state legislatures?

I think this is because most of the time the problems or adjustments in civil rights are more obvious or higher exposure during cases in federal courts. As during these process, the federal courts can see by facts bring forward and adjusts to allow for advancement in civil rights. Hence most advances in civil rights come through the federal courts.

5. What does this say about America’s democratic system?

This shows that the America’s democratic system advances when individuals are affected and this suits America

well.

6. What do you think is the status of race relations today (2017)?

I think the status of race relations today is slowing going downhill. This is the fault of the Media reporting a lot of topics regarding different races, regardless of good or bad. This causes people to start to be aware that different people are different races. If the media can just report the facts instead of emphasizing the races, the status won’t be as bad as it is currently. For example, if a person shot a cop, just report it. Not stating a BLACK MALE shot a WHITE COP. That is generalizing people. And that is what causing the downfall of race relations today.