Passing Proposition 34 in this November’s ballot would abolish the death penalty in the state of California.

In the past, Californians have favored capital punishment as a consequence for some crimes. This time the advocates of the proposition are stating that millions of dollars can be saved if we abolish the death penalty. Advocates are voicing that the state should put an end to the immoderate spending in administering capital punishment, especially since the last execution happened in 2006.

It’s understandable that during the economic crisis people want to efficiently invest in programs or projects that are going to benefit the public. At a glance, it may seem logical to vote yes on the measure. However, there is more to Proposition 34 than meets the eye.

It has become almost taboo to share that you are for capital punishment nowadays. It’s as if suddenly you’re some kind of malevolent person for believing in it. We live in a society that has built this invisible bubble that objects to anything inhumane. Anything that accounts for being too atrocious is frowned upon. It has almost been engraved as an appalling and a cruel reflection on the moral decay of our society.

Now, how would we react when a psychopathic manic takes the lives of those most dear to you, leaving you in complete, utter vulnerability. The emotional aspect comes sweeping in when you imagine the fear the victim must have felt, knowing that their life was going to be taken away. Do we let some of the most horrendous murderers share the same punishment as someone who is receiving life for the 3 strike rule?

There should be a higher consequence than just getting life in prison. Some family members of victims of the Aurora theatre shooting were quoted saying that they want the suspect James Holmes not just behind bars, but for his punishment to be the death penalty. When events like this happen, the possibility of the suspect receiving the death penalty brings solace to the family.

Supporters of Proposition 34 believe the main flaw of capital punishments is the high expense. Part of this is the legal aspect of getting a state-funded lawyer and judge for the appeals. The death penalty can take very long due to all these appeals. Supporters state that it will save $40 million per year by eliminating the need to investigate and conduct death penalty trials, but there is no truth behind this. There are over 700 inmates on death row at the San Quentin Prison, averaging out to $57,339 in housing annually. This doesn’t factor in the full healthcare inmates receive, which includes an inmate that was given a heart transplant which almost cost $1 million in taxpayer dollars.

California halted executions in 2006 due to the allegation that the 3 lethal drug injections often used caused pain to the persons being executed. As stated earlier, society wants the most clean and humane way to execute the criminal. Honestly, if it’s an execution, you’re taking the life of someone. There is not a humane way. They are however, trying to invent a lethal serum that only involves 1 shot instead of 3.

Even the incarcerated don›t want the death penalty to go away. If the 725 inmates that are on death row in San Quentin could vote, they would vote against Proposition 34. Proposition 34, if passed, would eliminate inmates from a second line of appeals also known as habeas corpus. What›s disconcerting about this is that if this measure passes, inmates who are innocent but found guilty after their first appeal, would never be able to prove that they were wrongly convicted. It has been found that in habeas corpus, more were acquitted or even found innocent than in their primary direct appeal.

This proposition trickles down to personal opinion and placing yourself in the shoes of the victim’s family and how you would want justice done. Ignoring the financial aspect and focusing on the merit of capital punishment, would you or do you believe the victim’s family will be satisfied with the criminal just receiving a lifetime in prison without parole?

I think it’s time to mend it and not diminish it. Vote no on Proposition 34.