and of course, these executions have brought down the murder rate in the USA.

Mick, I can see your argument up to a point. In certain countries tough punishments have helped, but it's not a guarantee. The society as a whole needs to change our attitude IMO, which is much easier said than done. I like to  think of myself as a law abiding citizen, it's not just because of my fear of the law or of getting caught, it's because of the way I was brought up and my sense of right and wrong.