Abortion and capital punishment are two issues concerning the same thing: human life. According to the 2004 official Republican platform, which is still the party's stance (2008 platform here), abortion is unacceptable and the death penalty is allowable, even encouraged. How can one person support life on one side and on the other support the ending of life? I do have to say I am for the abolition of abortion but strongly opposed to the death penalty.
These two stances contradict each other. Republicans believe that capital punishment is an effective deterrent for crimes. I wonder how effective it is when I see that 3,309 people were on death row in the United States as of January 1, 2008. Obviously Republicans value life in some respects because they want all babies to be born if the natural process allows it but in other respects they do not value life because 3,309 people will die because of their belief. I do not want to overlook the actions of the people on death row. They deserve punishment for the crimes they committed but how does killing someone for killing another person make since? Have we regressed to an eye for an eye form of government?
Maybe I've missed the point of all of Republican's stance but I have a hard time supporting someone who wants to kill people. If anyone can explain that to me please do.
*note: When "Republicans" is used it refers to the party platform not necessarily the views of all Republicans.
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3 comments:
I cannot explain, but I share in your thoughts here.
I think a lot of people justify their hatred for abortion but support for the death penalty by saying that fetuses are innocent and defenseless while adults have made their decisions and must live (or die) with them.
I don't agree, but I think that's how some people view it. Maybe not. As a person dependent on forgiveness, I think that everyone deserves it no matter what they've done.
It's also important to note that the Democratic platform supports both abortion and capital punishment.
also, based on numerous conversations and all of your politically related blog posts, im not too sure you can play the "i am very moderate and dont like one candidate/party over the other" card anymore... You are very clearly a liberal who very strongly supports obama over mccain.... dont kid yourself
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