The death penalty, although effective in preventing a small amount of crime, results in the ending of a life and that is unacceptable. The death penalty is not morally and economically viable. Even though money is a problem, the morality of killing another person simply because we deem what they do is wrong is fallacious. 

Since 1976 there have been 1491 executions. 173 of those who died were innocent. Killing a person is bad in general but it is even worse when they literally do nothing. The system is flawed or 173 people would probably still be alive. The amount of innocent people who were killed is scary because there is no bringing them back. Once someone dies, they are dead for good. 

All of the modern death row victims have been murderers. Although it may seem like murder is a fitting punishment for a murderer, it is important to look at how the victims family think about it. Other than the victim, the family is going to be affected the most. 

The opinion that the death penalty gives closure to the victim’s family is false. Although there are people on both sides, studies show that generally families agree that another death does not remedy their feelings. Through the idea of collective morality, the general population believes that killing people is bad. 

The second biggest factor aiding in the death penalty being inessential is the cost. The cost of keeping a prisoner on death row is around $90,000 more per prisoner per year than a regular prisoner. In California alone there are 670 death row inmates, which costs $63.3 million annually.

Instead of using our taxes for a new school or new roads, the government uses them for holding and euthanizing people. Taxes are important assets for the government. Wasting them on such things is impudent and selfish. 

Biden has had a confusing background when it comes to the death penalty. He needs to put his foot down and declare the death penalty illegal. Doing this will save a substantial amount of lives and free up funds that can be better spent elsewhere.