People of California have a referendum on Proposition 34 which is about retention of death penalty. Around 260 murderers face death penalty in California. Some groups are canvassing for abolition of death penalty. Some are in favour of death penalty. It is sad that Catholic bishops favour abolition.
People of California should learn lessons from Mexico which did away with death penalty. Murders take place openly without any fear. That has led to rival gangs engaging in shootouts anywhere, anytime. Policepersons are not safe. Priests, teachers and many others are murdered at random. California should imitate Texas which executed around 254 persons in 11 years. Texas’ Governor Rick Perry earned applause for his statement that he does not lose sleep over people executed.
Life sentence is not a deterrent for murderers. Many murderers come out on parole. Sometimes governors pardon murderers. Haley Barbour pardoned around 210 convicts including many murderers on his last day as Governor of Mississippi. Families of victims were shocked. There was not even 30-days notice. Judges did not strike down the pardon. Similarly another governor had pardoned many murderers on his last day in office.
Many times evil presents itself as good. Jesus in his parable of wheat and darnel warned people to be careful of evil. It is evil to oppose death penalty for murder. People in favour of death penalty should do their best for retention of death penalty in California and also strive for death penalty for murder in other states and countries.
Vincent Augustine D'Souza is a blogger, author, novelist and quiz master. His quiz site is 
