Between the thunderous applause for Rick Perry’s execution record at the Republican presidential debates and the civic outrage at the execution of Troy Davis last week, the idea of capital punishment has been excessively thrust into the public eye lately.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m as much a fan of hardcore retaliation as the next guy. Like when the server at Subway messed up my order with a footlong Italian sandwich (you wouldn’t think those things are dangerous, but believe me — they are).

But I think there are some things the government should not be allowed to do.

Take the case of Troy Davis, a man who was convicted of killing a Georgia police officer more than two decades ago. Much of his trial was shrouded in mystery, allegations of improper conduct and supposedly dishonest witnesses. After the trial, some of the jury claimed they felt pressure from the local police to convict Davis.

Despite several appeals to the Supreme Court and what felt like a million-and-a-half rescheduled execution dates, Davis was finally executed Wednesday. He stood by his innocence until his very last breath.

Mr. Davis could have been guilty. Mr. Davis could have been innocent. Do I claim to know? While the egomaniac in me would like to say “Yes, of course I do, I know everything,” the honest truth is no, I don’t. And judging by how many re-examinations of the trial were performed, I’m not convinced anyone else does either.

I understand the notion of capital punishment — of closure, of revenge, of setting an example that says, “If you touch our innocent loved ones, you will be punished and it will be severe.” All of these things are human. If someone were to harm my parents, my siblings or my friends, I would sure as hell want them dead. There are certain people who don’t deserve to live.

But I don’t believe the U.S. government, nor the individual state governments, are competent enough to handle such a harsh decision. If they’re wrong, what more can they do but say, “Oops, we’re sorry”?

We’re talking about an institution that can’t get road construction right (I’m looking at you, Grand Rapids), that can’t get its financial spending in order (you just had to have that new plasma TV, didn’t you?), and can’t even get past its own political grudges in order to do what’s best for the country as a whole.

I love my country. I love what we stand for. But I don’t believe we have the efficiency or the right to make drastic decisions with something so valuable as a human life. I’d much rather pay higher taxes into the penitentiary system than gamble that an innocent life be [email protected]