Is the death penalty effective?

I don't think it's right to kill another human being for any reason. However, unfortunately it sucks because we have to pay taxes for these people to stay in prison. Catch 22 for me...I don't want to pay for them or kill them. Is there a better solution out there??

Should we rape rapists? Should we steal from thieves? It sounds ridiculous to me, just as killing killers. Just because man's law dictates that this is the appropriate punishment does not make it okay. Cruel and unusual punishment is banned in the states, but yet we keep a person locked up for years and years knowing the exact moment when they will die. Sounds both very cruel and unusual to me. It certainly is not natural. Then again, how often do humans identify with nature anymore? What's even more disgusting to me is the fact that it is done in a room with glass all around so that people can watch. Why would anyone willingly watch something like that? Oh wait, people have been watching executions for centuries. Oh, but it's okay now because now our killing is "humane" right? Doing unto others as you'd have them do unto you does not mean to commit the same horrendous crime back on the criminal. Instead of putting so much time and effort into punishment, into the symptoms, let's treat the disease and help these people out, preferably before these crimes take place. We have the power, but we are too greedy. So how can we judge when we aren't even willing to try to actually solve the problem? Are we truly better at all? Most of those who partake in violent crimes were first victims of violent crimes.