Double Think Magazine recently published an article I wrote describing how the death penalty debate is changing. The debate no longer pits conservatives against liberals, and the youth are increasingly leading the charge against the death penalty. I went on to say,
“The death penalty does not measure up to the principles of young conservatives and libertarians, and that’s why the youth of the liberty movement are bringing new voices to this age old debate. Innocent lives are at stake, while money and time are being wasted, and we’ve had enough.”
The Libertarian blogosphere is all abuzz today with our latest endorser: Dr. Ron Paul. Read what he had to say about Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty and then vote “yes” in this online poll to help demonstrate that Conservatives and Libertarians are rethinking the death penalty.
Dr. Paul’s statement against the death penalty is the latest in a string of Conservative individuals, organizations, and media that continue to increase their involvement in our cause. The timing couldn’t be more urgent for this tidal wave of Conservative concern – read on to see why.
Questionable executions, questionable laws
Last month the State of Georgia tried to execute Warren Hill even though 7 out of 7 medical professionals who examined him found that he was intellectually disabled. It is unconstitutional to execute a “mentally retarded” person according to the United States Supreme Court.
To make matters worse, it is a state secret where the State of Georgia gets their lethal injection drugs and what the drugs actually are.
Matt Abbott from Renew America mentioned us in his column. I am quoted as saying,
“Conservatives are becoming increasingly concerned about the high costs of this government program that we rarely use, as well as the risk of executing innocent people. It’s causing many of us to question whether capital punishment is consistent with conservative values.”
He went on to quote the Catholic Catechism,
“Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm – without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself – the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity ‘are very rare, if not practically non-existent.”
Reason.com reported on Ron Paul’s official statement of support regarding Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty. He stated,
“I believe that support for the death penalty is inconsistent with libertarianism and traditional conservatism. So I am pleased with Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty’s efforts to form a coalition of libertarians and conservatives to work to end capital punishment.”
In response to this great news, I told Reason.com that Dr. Paul is a
“significant political and thought leader” and explained that the organization is “ecstatic” to receive the doctor’s endorsement.
“This reiterates that we already know,” says Hyden. “From the grassroots to political leaders and conservatives to libertarians, there is a growing concern about the death penalty.”
The response from supporters from across the US has been overwhelmingly positive. Conservatives and Libertarians are ready to repeal the death penalty.
Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty’s Ben Jones and Heather Beaudoin were both featured in separate articles in the most recent edition of the Life Matter Journal. The Life Matters Journal is a non-partisan organization dedicated to the cause of all human life. When discussing the death penalty, Ben Jones said,
“The death penalty is contrary to conservative principles: a commitment to fiscal responsibility, limited government, and protecting the sanctity of human life. There is nothing conservative about capital punishment.”
While being interviewed by Life Matters Journal, Heather Beaudoin said,
“My pro-life views have had the greatest impact on my position regarding the death penalty. Like so many conservatives, I believe in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and I do not believe mankind should ever interfere with God’s intent.
I am also a fiscal conservative who fervently believes our government should be fiscally responsible and not waste my tax dollars on expensive programs that accomplish little or nothing. The death penalty system fits the bill because it costs far more than the alternatives.”
DEATH PENALTY CONCERNS TO BE SHARED
AT YAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
REEXAMINATION of the death penalty GROWS
July 24, 2013 – Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, a national network of conservatives and libertarians questioning the alignment of capital punishment with their principles, will be exhibiting at the 5th Annual Young Americans for Liberty National Convention (July 31 – August 3, Arlington, VA).
“Liberty-minded individuals want to limit the power of government, including the death penalty, which is a broken government program that has the real potential of killing innocent Americans,” said Marc Hyden, a national advocacy coordinator for Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty.
To date, more than 140 individuals have been released from death rows across America after evidence of their innocence was discovered.
“I first supported the death penalty until I found out how many innocent individuals were being killed and how costly it was on the taxpayers,” Jeff Frazee, Founder and Executive Director, Young Americans for Liberty said. “In a free and just society, we should always strive to protect life, most especially all innocent life.
MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY
FBI REVIEW SHOWS MISTAKES
Unprecedented FBI Action Generates Praise and Calls for States to Follow Suit
July 19, 2013 – Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, a national network of conservatives and libertarians questioning the alignment of capital punishment with their principles, applauds the FBI’s historic review of old criminal cases which has now cast doubt on up to 27 death penalty convictions. The review discovered that FBI forensic experts could have inadvertently connected defendants to crimes with flawed scientific testimony.
“This is a national affirmation from the top investigative body in the country that even in the most high profile cases like the death penalty, we can’t be 100-percent certain,” said Marc Hyden, a national advocacy coordinator for Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. “An admission by the FBI that their experts may have testified beyond the limits of science shows how fallible and uncertain the process is.”
The FBI review of death penalty cases led to an 11th hour stay of execution back in May in Mississippi.
Questioning a system marked by inefficiency, inequity, and inaccuracy.
Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty is a network of political and social conservatives who question the alignment of capital punishment with conservative principles and values.
We are a project of Equal Justice USA, a national organization working to end the death penalty in the United States.
Test the popup