Does taking the life of others really avenge the lives of others? The disciplinary act of capital punishment, the death penalty, has been the subject of major debate in the United States for years. Supporters of capital punishment believe that it marks the end of the recidivism of murderers. For many years, public opinion has been favorable to this small number and to the death penalty. Yet over time, records show declining public and state support for retaining capital punishment. Those who are against capital punishment believe that it is immoral, spends taxpayer dollars inappropriately, and provides no means to rehabilitate criminals and/or prevent future crimes. Those who favor the death penalty argue that without it, murderers would go free. in society, only to kill again. They believe in the saying “an eye for an eye”; and that life in prison is not a cruel enough punishment, but that the only way to stop further murders is death. In fact, some cases show the legitimacy of this belief. In one particular case, author Mike Royko illustrates that "during his [the murderer's] trial, it was mentioned that this was his second murder." This murderer has been tried twice, for two different murders, although it is true that some murderers have returned to society to kill again, that does not mean that all criminals will follow this path. There are many cases in which men are sent to prison for life without the possibility of parole; in which case the criminal cannot kill again and does not need to be killed. Legalizing the death penalty means allowing “one person to judge another incapable of rehabilitation” (King). Capital punishment allows the federal government to decide whether a human being is allowed to live middle of paper.... ..ld Blood. New York: Vintage International, 1993. Print. “Deterrence: States without the death penalty have had consistently lower murder rates. » deathpenaltyinfo.org. DPIC, and Web. March 4, 2010. Harrison, Brigid C. “Death to Capital Punishment.” » The New York Times, late edition. New York, New York: December 2, 2007. Print.King, Coretta Scott. “The death penalty is a step backwards. » Patterns Plus: A Short Reader of Prose with Argument, Fifth Edition. Mary Lou Conlin, editor. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston. 1995. 357-359. Print.Lewis, Neil A. “Death Sentences Are Decreasing, and Experts Offer Reasons.” » The New York Times, late edition. New York, New York: December 15, 2006. Print. Royko, Mike. “Death to killers.” Patterns Plus: A Short Prose Reader with Argument, Fifth Edition. Mary Lou Conlin, editor. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston. 1995. 353-356. Print.