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            This proposition is very controversial and many are very opinionated.  Proposition 34 is there to repeal the death penalty and replace it with life in prison without parole.  It would also direct $100 million dollars to law enforcement for homicide and rape cases.  Each of us believes in the death penalty, and see that it may be a necessary tool in today’s society.  We each believe that it brings relief and comfort to the affected families and that justice is served.  We understand that it is a sad fate, but for many it is necessary.

Introduction and Background Information:

California’s Prop 34 is summarized in the voter’s guide as:

             “Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to existing death sentences. Directs $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of  homicide and rape cases. Fiscal Impact: Ongoing state and county criminaljustice savings of about $130 million annually within a few years, which could vary by tens of millions of dollars. One-time state costs of $100 million for local law enforcement grants.”

The Death Penalty in California History:

•       Legal Executions in California were authorized under the Criminal Practices Act of 1851
•      On February 14, 1872, capital punishment was incorporated into the Penal Code
•      The first form of execution was death by hanging.
•      On August 27, 1937 Legislature replaced hanging with lethal gas.
•      In January 1993, a new law went into effect allowing inmates the option of either lethal gas or lethal injection.

The Legal Challenges of The Death Penalty

•       After 1967, California did not administer an execution for 25 years due to various State and United States Supreme Court decisions.
•       In 1972, the Californian Supreme Court found that the death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment under state constitution. (107 individuals had their sentence changed.)
•       Nine months after the controversial ruling, the California electorate amended the state constitution and overruled the State Supreme Court.

·      California legislation was passed in 1973 that made the death penalty mandatory under specific conditions.

1.     Kidnapping (if the victim dies)

2.     Train wrecking (if there are any casualties)

3.     Assault by a life prisoner (if victim dies within the year)

4.     Treason against the state

5.     First Degree Murder (for hire, of a peace officer, of a witness to prevent testimony, if committed during robbery or burglary, if committed during rape by force, if committed during lewd and lascivious acts upon children, by persons previously convicted of murder)

Questions Surrounding the Issue and Answers:

What is prop 34?

Prop 34 repeals death penalty while replacing it with life in prison without parole.

What is a pro of prop 34?

Prop 34 forces killers to work and pay court-ordered restitution to victims. In addition, it saves wasted tax dollars while funding one hundred million dollars to law enforcement to solve rapes and murders.

What is a con of prop 34?

This proposition would cost tax payers one hundred million dollars over the period of only four years. They would also be paying at least fifty thousand a year, which would fund the murders lifetime of healthcare and housing.

How do people feel about prop 34?

6,460,264 votes, which amounted to 52% of voters, voted no on prop 34, while the remaining 48% ended with 5,974,243 votes for yes on the proposition.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion:

    In Conclusion, Proposition 34 is just not worth the time and money. The death penalty has been improved as years passed by and hasn’t been used that often in the state of California. While some may say the death penalty is expensive with the few executions California has had and that it’s inhumane, having the criminals imprisoned for life isn’t any cheaper or better to deal with them. Proposition 34 may have some good points on ideas to deal with criminals, but economically it will not hold up with in California.

Prop 34: The Death Penalty Initiative

Main Argument:

In the recent election, California voters chose to keep Proposition 34 in effect.  This means that any serious crimes committed would have the ultimate penalty, which would result in death.  Serious crimes would be considered multiple pre-meditated events.  This proposition would only take effect if the perpetrator is found guilty beyond unreasonable doubt.  Not only does the death penalty bring relieve to the families it also creates another form of crime deterrent.  Prison time is a very good deterrent but for many, more is needed.  With this ultimate punishment, it would minimize the crime rate. 

Link and Analysis:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/52891807

            In this video Kevin Mickelson, the president of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association talks simply about Proposition 34.  He believes in the death penalty and goes on to say that the opposing side says it will cost much more to keep the death penalty intact.  A district attorney of Sacramento stated that many people believe that the system is too broken and could not be repaired.  The ones for the death penalty believe that is simply not true.  The system can and will be fixed, and will deliver justice.

  

Visual Argument and Analysis:

This shows how many states are in favor of the death penalty.  Capital punishment is legal in 32 U.S. states.  Approximately 1,308 inmates are awaiting execution.  Some states such as, Connecticut, Maryland and New Mexico have abolished the death penalty, but it is not retroactive. Prisoners on death row in those states will still be executed. 

Significant quotes & Analysis:

“To me, capital punishment is a form of societal self- defense. It should not be employed indiscriminately, but in cases of the most heinous crimes, the death penalty may be the only appropriate punishment” – John Ashcroft (prodpquotes)

This states that the death penalty is a way to keep the citizen of the United States safe.  That this may be our only way to defend ourselves from these awful people who committed horrible crimes. 

“People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death... life in prison is less feared. Murderers clearly prefer it to execution -- otherwise, they would not try to be sentenced to life in prison instead of death... Therefore, a life sentence must be less deterrent than a death sentence. And we must execute murderers as long as it is merely possible that their execution protects citizens from future murder." 

Although this is a bit wordy, this shows that criminals just like many people are afraid of death.  When one is convicted they wish to get life in prison over the death sentence because they simply are afraid of death. And in this, this may be the ultimate deterrent of many other crimes.

Not Worth Prop 34

Main Argument

Prop 34 deals with replacing the death sentence with life imprisonment, without any possibility for parole, to prevent killing anyone that could be considered innocent. While this proposition does bring up some good points, abolishing the death penalty means the community has to pay taxes to keep criminals in prison until they pass away. This is not only a waste of money, but also brings up questions like why should we pay to keep a murderer, rapist, burglar, etc. alive with our hard-earned money? Some law-breakers, depending on their crime, don’t deserve to have a life sentence. People need to realize that this money should be used towards education and city prosperity rather than on the lives of convicts.

Link and Analysis

This video shows many people affected by a criminal and their views on proposition 34.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Ul4AMSKNA&feature=c4-overview&list=UUlRhqnWUbmCRb6DLuGCj1Og

This video is a political ad against proposition 34. It shows some criminals and their horrific crimes and explains that if prop 34 is passed, these criminals will get away with their illegal acts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-1XX1ph0uQ

Visual Arguments & Analysis

This picture shows how some criminals, (in this picture Saddam Hussein), do not comply with the law. That is until they are faced with the death sentence

This political cartoon shows how some people don’t believe in the death penalty. This can backfire by having the criminals suffer more than before.

Significant Quotes & Analysis

"Baby killers, cop killers and serial killers make up the majority of people on death row. They've committed absolutely atrocious crimes."

"I was raised to be accountable for my actions, and the state's not doing that with its citizens,"

Proposition 34 in California

Main Argument:

Proposition 34 is a bill which would abolish the death penalty, and in its place, have people serve life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Supporters of prop 34 argue that the death penalty should not be utilized because it’s both costly and cruel.  However, I disagree because people’s living expenses are also very costly, and some crimes are so unthinkable that the death penalty serves justice right. With a yes on proposition 34, we are only providing health care, food, and housing for torturous and psychopathic criminals. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-1XX1ph0uQ

This video illustrates the reasons as to why people should vote “no” on proposition 34. It demonstrates that people are responsible for their destiny, and it’s their own fault if they decide to commit a crime. They should already know that there are consequences along with criminal actions. Without the death penalty, convicts don’t suffer or their wrong doings. The video shows pictures of convicts along with their victims and a description of what they did in order to highlight the severity of certain crimes and how they deserve capital punishment.

The vote on proposition 34 in California resulted in 47.2 percent of the population voting “yes,” while the other 52.8 percent voted “no.” This results in the bill not being passed, keeping the death penalty in place.

Significant Quotes: 

“California is broke. Abolishing  the death penalty costs taxpayers $100 million over the next four years and many millions more in the future. Instead of justice, killers get lifetime housing/healthcare benefits” (Smart Voter).

Proposition 34 would actually cost more money due to the amount of living expenses that would be required. With it not passing, there are a few less people that would need a lifetime supply of support, who don’t necessarily deserve it.

“Prop 34 lets serial killers, cop killers, child killers, and those who kill the elderly, escape justice. Proponents don’t acknowledge that when californias death penalty was eliminated before, condemned criminals were released only to kill and rape again” (Smart Voter).

Prop 34 is letting killers and other serious criminals get off the easy way. Although sitting in a prison for the rest of their lives is tortuous for some, many people don’t think it serves justice enough for the unthinkable crimes that they have committed.

“The death penalty is given to less than 2% of murderers whose crimes are so shocking that juries of law-abiding citizens unanimously delivered the sentence” (Smart Voter).

This demonstrates how serious people take the death penalty. They don’t just give a ton of people capital punishment; the crime has to be extremely severe. This proves that it’s not used carelessly.