Three Leading Democratic Candidates Support Death Penalty

I am not sure how many of you knew this, because I did not, but I found a story on a website called AlterNet, that says that all three of the Democratic candidates are pro-Death Penalty. This surprised me, as I thought that most Democrats were opposed to the Death Penalty. This story and their positions may surprise you as well. I hope you enjoy this interesting story.

"Opposing the death penalty used to distinguish Democrats from Republicans. Now, across party lines, death is just another day at the office."

It's not news that African-Americans are disproportionately represented on death row. While 12 percent of the country is African-American, more than 40 percent of the country's death row population is black -- and although blacks and whites are murder victims in nearly equal numbers, 80 percent of the prisoners executed since the death penalty was reinstated were convicted for murders in which the victim was white. Study upon study in states across the country have discovered racial bias at every stage of the death penalty process, including one that found that the more "stereotypically black" a defendant is perceived to be, the more likely that person is to be sentenced to death. Add to that the fact that over 20 percent of black defendants who have been executed were convicted by all-white juries, and the racial reality of the death penalty becomes impossible to ignore.

Follow the link and the three page story fleshes out their stands, and how support for the death penalty has become common among Democratic candidates. It is quite fascinating! Have a Good Friday!!


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