emblem-man posted...
Do you think fines provide a deterrence for crimes such as that? If you don't (which might be true, maybe it doesn't), then we should do away with any fine at all and push for some form of non financial penalty, for example, jail time. Which still impacts poor people more, but let's ignore that for now.
Or do you just feel icky about the idea of paying more solely because you make more money?
I guess I can only speak for myself, but to me, the fine is enough of a deterrent to have me not do something where safety isn't an issue. Like the example I gave. Pissing in public (although not even a crime in many place anymore) is a victimless crime, but still a fineable offense. The fine is enough for me not to do it, compared to something like running a stop sign/light, where safety is more of a deterrent.
I can't say for sure, because I'm not one, but I don't think if I was a millionaire I would be running red lights and risking mine and my family's lives just becasue I can afford the fine more easily. I also don't think I would be whipping my dick out an pissing everywhere if I was a millionaire and have hundreds of dollars to burn in fines.