Stronger penalties for hate laws won't soften a person's heart. Texas this week postponed a vote on a legislation that would stiffen the penalties for crimes motivated by the race, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion or sexual preference of the victims. Proponents claim the punishments are not severe enough for hate crimes.
Opponents claim all crimes are motivated by hate.
I agree with the later. The fact that people torture, maim and kill others all because they don't like the color of their skin, ethnicity or religion is still a very sad commentary on our society. Even though I would like to see those who kill someone over race receive the same treatment as the victim, I don't think that is going to change the way people feel and turn a cold heart into a tolerant one. You cannot legislate the way people feel. Some states have the death penalty, and Texas, for one, uses it frequently.