I think most government activities are a waste of tax dollars. Taxation is theft and corporal punishment just teaches them to not get caught and/or makes them hate authority even more.
Who pays for the hospital bills after corporal punishment? The offender? I highly doubt they'll be able to afford the medical bills especially since they already owe legal fees and such from their trial. And putting him in even deeper debt is going to either lead to suicide or commiting worse crimes to get money.
Now quit dodging my question: would you beat your child because they spilled water on the floor?
Edit added this line: But that doesn't stop you from partaking int he services those tax dollars pay for, now does it?
Why, the government that imposed the punishment, of course. Punishment given, slate clean, move on with life having a clearer understanding of what happens when you break the law. It's faster and cheaper than a prison sentence for everyone involved.
No, why would I do that for an accident? However, willful disobedience is another matter. If the standard talking to, loss of privileges, or standing in the corner doesn't work, that's another matter.
The person's in question are clearly different as are the offenses. Attempting to compare the punishments given to a child who is still learning to behave correctly and is most certainly non menus rea, with those of the idiot with the laser pointer are quite different.
You won't win any debates comparing apples and oranges.
My question has merit in this debate. The man may have a developmental disability that eliminates the possibility of mens rea. Would you still consider it fair to give him a severe caning? Or should he treated like a child due to his disability?
Also canings are in addition to prison time in the countries that allow them. So add medical bills plus the cost of incarceration as well as the legal fees that would occur from appeals and lawsuits. Speaking of lawsuits, he would most likely win a sizeable sum given the excessive nature of the punishment. If the government is going to steal my hard earned money then I'd rather he just sit in jail and not be caned as well.
Finally in response to your edit, I partake in those services in absence of better alternatives. If a private company were to offer paved roads at reasonable usage rate, then I would consider using their roads.
Yeah, sure you would. You don't have bills to pay and no other financial responsibilities. Of course you'd love to eat your tax dollars in fighting your appeals. Waste those tax dollars, right? Just like wasting those tax dollars by having already having a helicopter in the air instead of the scramble to get one in the air in case of emergency.
It could as easily have been a medivac helicopter delivering an accident victim to a trauma center or a helicopter for a local news and weather outlet.
He had no regard for human life. Apparently you agree with him.
That's why corporal punishment works. The miscreant takes their punishment and it's done.