The Flash! – May 14, 2015
Thank you God that I am not prone to cynicism. Likely lost in yesterday’s news about Amtrak’s devastation and DuPont’s salvation was the report of a disheartening day in Dover.
Yesterday Senate Bill 40, the one that would repeal Delaware’s death penalty, which has already passed in the Senate, came before the House’s Judiciary Committee. In Delaware a bill comes to the floor of the House upon passage by a committee, and cannot become a law without an affirmative vote by a majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
At the gathering in the House chambers yesterday there were nearly three hours of public comment. Perspectives were offered in favor of and opposed to repeal; 47 of the 58 people, however, spoke in favor of ending Delaware’s death penalty. This mirrored a recent Delaware Center for Justice study which showed that 64% of Delawareans favor abolishing state sanctioned homicide.
In that time we heard that the death penalty is significantly more expensive than a life sentence without parole; that its application is horribly biased based on race and socio-economic status; that, even with DNA testing, there continue to be cases in which innocent people are convicted, sentenced, and executed; that no credible evidence has established that the death penalty is a deterrent; and that law enforcement and correctional officers are in no more danger in states where there is no death penalty. And every major faith tradition in Delaware offered that the death penalty violates their sacred texts, beliefs, and doctrines.
After more than two hours the vote came. In less then two minutes after the final public comment, and without any discussion, six of eleven Representatives voted not to release the bill.
Here’s the fodder for cynicism: with two plus hours of deeply emotional public comment, and with two thirds of a state’s people wanting this law to be passed, six individuals stopped this bill from reaching the House floor for a vote. They did so because the vote counters are saying there are enough votes in the full House for the bill to pass. Six individuals, who represent 25% of Delaware’ people, have silenced those who represent the other 75%.
If this leaves you feeling cynical, I offer you this remedy. Click here for the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the six legislators who would silence your voice. As you are so moved, tell them that there is only one just and democratic way for this to be decided: demand of them courage to risk not getting their way, and faith to trust the will of the people.
Thank you God that I am prone to hopefulness: I believe in the arc of God’s justice and that someday (soon!) light and life will overcome darkness and death. May God bless the calls we make; that they would reflect the call we have received to witness to the reconciliation and grace of our Christ.
Peace,
Andy