Death Penalty - Proof It Doesn't Work

Death Penalty - Proof It Doesn't Work

Dear Editor:

The New York Times claims that they have discovered that capital punishment has no deterrent value in preventing murders. Surely everyone should know by now that punishment is no deterrent to crime, for the opponents of capital punishment have been constantly telling us this for the last 75 years. Given this profound discovery, it seems to me the following actions should be taken immediately:

Parents should be instructed to forego all punishment of their rowdy, disobedient children since personal conduct is not changed by punishment.

All discipline for rebellious, disruptive school students should cease. Punishment does not affect behavior.

State and national legal codes should immediately be revised, eliminating penalties for criminal conduct. It is a waste of time and money to punish criminals since it won't impact on their future behavior.

All fines should be rescinded for breaking traffic laws since it is proven that punishment does not deter bad behavior.

National policy should be revised. Rouge nations should not be punished with economic embargoes, or military interventions since punishment does not modify behavior.

We especially need to inform the IRS that it is fruitless to impose punitive penalties on those who refuse to pay their taxes because the NY Times has proven that punishment does not alter conduct.

However, given the risks and unknown factors in such a bold social experiment, it might be wise for us to install additional locks on our doors and bars on our windows; enroll in self defense courses and keep our guns handy.

Back -- or go -- Home