Capital punishment is an important issue because it deals with life, the
             value of life, and personal liberties. The death penalty has been in
             existence for as long as America has been a country. Execution was quite
             common in the early colonial days, with punishment of death resulting from
             such crimes as denying the "true God," lying, and stealing. Interestingly
             enough, the framers of the Constitution did not consider capital punishment
             cruel and unusual punishment. (Inciardi 488) The death penalty has always
             been a sensitive subject, sparking debate from all sides. Those who
             support capital punishment believe that it is a just and fair punishment
             for murder. They also believe that capital punishment serves as a
             deterrent for other would-be murderers. Those who oppose capital
             punishment believe that murder by the state is no different than murder on
             the street. They believe that lifetime prison sentences are fair justice.
             However, abolitionists have always maintained that the death penalty is
             wrong. In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was
             "unconstitutional because it was being administered in an arbitrary and
             capricious manner" (White 131). It is not cruel and unusual punishment
             because it "achieves to important social purposes, retribution and
             deterrence" (132). In fact, the majority of Americans considers the death
             penalty an acceptable means of punishment and 35 states practice it. (Death
             Liberals favor equality over freedom and oppose any government
             involvement that restricts individual liberties. They approve of
             government action that promotes equality among individuals. In regards to
             capital punishment, liberals feel that executing a murderer is a form of
             harsh punishment. Liberals favor the death penalty with 37 percent and 60
             percent would rather see murderers serve life sentences in prison. (Death
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