I have to admit, I don't think about capital punishment much. It is not permitted in Wisconsin, and it is not really much of a political issue here. I feel as though most Wisconsin residents do not think it is an effective or humane way to treat our society's worst criminals. It was a debate topic when I was in high school, and I usually took the position that in states where the death penalty was used more, the murder rates were actually higher and vice versa.
35 out of 50 U.S. states, as well as the federal government, allow for the death penalty. They're in the company of some of the world's worst human rights offenders. The U.S. is the almost the only country of any European or North American country (except for Cuba, Belarus, and St. Kitts and Nevis) to still use the practice.
The latest execution of a 41-year old woman in Virginia for conspiracy to commit murder is a new low in the sad history of capital punishment. Teresa Lewis was reportedly suffering from mental illness and had an IQ of about 72. If her IQ had been 70 it would have been illegal to execute her. I feel as though society can judge her actions - ones that resulted in the murder of her husband and stepson for money - but who judges society? Ultimately, it will be for history to decide. But I think I already know that we will ultimately abolish the death penalty, and it is just a matter of time.
I think that if enough people were against it and spoke out, that it wouldn't need to take so long.
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