1. What does Thurow regard as the strongest argument for the death penalty? How convincing is it to you?
2. What does he think makes death by a "random element" like a storm harder for survivors to
accept than the murder of a loved one?
3. Why does Hertzberg regard capital punishment as a "uniquely American brand of sadism"?
Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. How do you understand Hertzberg's final sentence?

Congress is controlled by the democrats. president yaeger, a republican, takes several actions that are opposed by the democrats in congress. first, the president introduces a new budget that cuts most of the government's social programs and gives tax breaks to the wealthy. next, president yaeger negotiates a trade treaty with a nation accused of human rights abuses. then, the president gives pardons to three republican senators who have been convicted of crimes.