The more I think about it, maybe we should just abolish the Senate.
At first I was thinking, well, the state should have a say. Then I was thinking, well, maybe the states shouldn't have a say over what other states do. That power should belong to the house. The people are sovereign (in writing anyway) after all.
States have their own land to rule. They don't need federal control beyond what they can influence through the house.
Also the house needs to be bigger. Way way bigger.
Is it a deterant? Sure. But the private nature of it blunts the effectiveness. They should be public to have proper effect.
But, it's the public aspect that's real important.
I say bring back the stockades.
That's going to be far more useful than privately killing people.
And move the stockades around. Put them infront of shopping centers, supermarkets, parks...
Alternatively, we could have chain gangs march through the cities. Same idea, put punishment in full view of the public, but possibly harder to secure.