actually Jazzo, Americans stand firmly by their Christian roots and conclude that "an eye for an eye", is fair., this is from the old testament, and (EDIT if someone, (Keiva, or Fr. Steve, or someone a better classical knowledge of the OT, (including Keiva's rabbi!) -end of edit can get us details on this particular phrase, as i recall, it is has a specific context, and most of the OT supports the idea "Vengeance is mine" sayeth the Lord.. (see the story of Cain and Abel, and the mark of Cain, etc)
one of the tenet of Christianity, is "turn the other cheek". the Christian thing to do, is to forgive. Not necessarily let them walk the street free to harm others, but there is no justification in Christianity (and almost none in Judaism) for the death penalty. i ain't much of Christian, but i am enough of one, that i can't let that slide..
