However, in recent times opponents have shown the death penalty to be racist, barbaric, and in violation with the United States Constitution as ". . . cruel and unusual punishment." In this country, although laws governing the application of the death penalty have undergone many changes since biblical times, the punishment endures, and controversy has never been greater.

A prisoner's death wish cannot grant a right not otherwise possessed. Abolitionists maintain that the state has no right to kill anyone. The right to reject life imprisonment and choose death should be respected, but it changes nothing for those who oppose the death at the hands of the state.

The death penalty is irrational- a fact that should carry considerable weight with rationalists. As Albert Camus pointed out, "Capital punishment. . . has other words, society has long since left behind the archaic and barbarous customs" from the cruel "eye for an eye" antihuman caves of religion- another factor

The death penalty is often used for political gain. During his presidential gain, President Clinton rushed home for the Arkansas execution of Rickey Ray Rector, a mentally retarded, indigent black man. Clinton couldn't take the chance of being seen by voters as "soft on crime." Political analysts believe that when the death penalty becomes an issue in a campaign, the candidate favoring capital punishment almost inevitably will benefit.

Juveniles are subject to the death penalty. Since state execution of juveniles also became permissible in the decision cited above, at least five people who were juveniles when their crimes were committed have been executed (Long 79).

The death penalty violates constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. The grotesque killing of Robert Harris by the state of California on April 21, 1992, and similar reports of witnesses to hangings and lethal injections should leave doubt that the dying process can be, and often is, grossly inhumane, regardless of method (Flanders 16).

Executions do not save money. There are those who cry that we, the taxpayer, shouldn't have to "support" condemned people for an entire lifetime in prison, that we should simply "eliminate" them and save ourselves time and money. The truth is that the cost of state killing is up to three times the cost of lifetime imprisonment (Long 80).

Family and friends of murder victims are further victimized by state killings. Quite a few leaders in the abolishment movement became involved specially because someone they loved was murdered. Family of victims repeatedly stated they wanted the murderer to die. One of the main reasons, in addition to justice, was they wanted all the publicity to be over. Yet, if it wasn't for the sensationalism surrounding an execution, the media exposure would not have occurred in the first place. Murderers would be quietly and safely put away for life with absolutely no possibility for parole.

The death penalty has been imposed most for murders committed during the course of another felony. A

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1396
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)