Well Athens and Rome were more or less democratic in terms that everyone who was considered a citizen could vote, i.e. male non-slaves, not that different from the United States in the early 19th century.

Hahah you guys remind me of the election in Ohio for the house, Hayes vs. Dodds, Hayes made a great commercial featuring a blown up picture of a random black man and said that "Dan Dodd does not want this man to be executed", because Dodd supported a moratorium on the death penalty in order for a commission to re-evaluate the system. Jon Stewart had some nice jokes on the subject on the October 31 Daily Show.

"I also dont like the idea of Sex offenders and the like getting back out to strike again and ruin lives so I see what you mean Roy."
There's something called life without the possibility of parole. And besides, in terms of sex offenders there are many ways to rehabilitate them, there are medicines to surpress their urges, etc. even without throwing them in jail for the rest of their lives.