Current Events > Do you think fines should be proportionate to the person's earnings?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Say someone who earns like 500 bucks a week, they have to pay rent, food, utilities etc. A fine worth 100 is basically a large chunk of that money, which would really screw them over. With this, maybe the number would be adjusted so they still pay the fine, but at a level where they can still work things out.

A millionaire wouldn't bat an eye for that fine, so it won't be a deterrent for them. This would make them stop breaking the law and just paying everything away.
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YES.

Wealth is the only true freedom and if nothing else at least the law could try and make shit somewhat equal.
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Fuck no
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RdVEHfJqAvUPIbk posted...

Fuck no

Fuck that.

If I did some dumb shit I get my car impounded cant get to work and potentially lose my job and end up homeless.

A rich person pays pocket change relatively speaking and drives a different car or uses the help to drive them in a different car.
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I read the topic title as proportionate to the person's earrings and I was really curious to see the logic there.
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Yes
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That would literally be discrimination.
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Gobstoppers12 posted...

That would literally be discrimination.

It's discrimination right now anyway. Anybody earning below a certain threshold is screwed, and people above that don't care about the law because they can just make it go away.

Fines are poor people tax.
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Gobstoppers12 posted...

That would literally be discrimination.

Yes, but being rich isnt a protected class of people so legally its ok
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No. The concept fails because then we have to also apply the logic to income/proprty tax and it's not fair that my neighbor with an identical house as me pays less taxes simply because of career choice

KiwiTerraRizing posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

That would literally be discrimination.

Yes, but being rich isnt a protected class of people so legally its ok

Say the phrase "Discrimination based on income" and see if that sits well with you as an argument in court with legal precedent.
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A doy

Only trolls or absurdly wealthy people would oppose this. So don't respond to any trolls, knowing that
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The fines should scale up for wealthy people but the current figures should stay as a minimum.
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RdVEHfJqAvUPIbk posted...

Fuck no

That would definitely be a considered a cruel/unusual punishment
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friendbuddypal posted...

The fines should scale up for wealthy people but the current figures should stay as a minimum.

Well that doesnt make any sense.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

The fines should scale up for wealthy people but the current figures should stay as a minimum.

Well that doesnt make any sense.

I'd rather not incentivize poor people to commit more crime.
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friendbuddypal posted...

Smashingpmkns posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

The fines should scale up for wealthy people but the current figures should stay as a minimum.

Well that doesnt make any sense.

I'd rather not incentivize poor people to commit more crime.

I dont think that's how it would work but okay
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LightningAce11 posted...

Anybody earning below a certain threshold is screwed

They could just not break the law.

Follow the speed limit, come to a full stop at stop signs, keep your license plate up to date, wear your seatbelt, don't drink and drive, don't talk on the cell phone while driving, don't throw trash out the window, don't park where you're not supposed to, etc.

It's really not that hard. I've been driving for ten years and I've never even been pulled over.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

Smashingpmkns posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

The fines should scale up for wealthy people but the current figures should stay as a minimum.

Well that doesnt make any sense.

I'd rather not incentivize poor people to commit more crime.

I dont think that's how it would work but okay

It's alright, I know economic theory is hard for some people to grasp.
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Yep!

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Not only should fines be scaled to your income, but government fees should as well.

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered. Ridiculously expensive, and if you're poor that's just another barrier to owning a car which if you owned one could easily help you find better work/make more money.
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konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.
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Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california
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konokonohamaru posted...

Not only should fines be scaled to your income, but government fees should as well.

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered. Ridiculously expensive, and if you're poor that's just another barrier to owning a car which if you owned one could easily help you find better work/make more money.

You do, it's called a ridiculously low tax bracket

konokonohamaru posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california

Then your wonderful social programs should more than make up for any taxes you have the privilege of paying. Don't be greedy, comrade.
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konokonohamaru posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california

Ouch.
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No, that's unfair to rich people.

friendbuddypal posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california

Then your wonderful social programs should more than make up for any taxes you have the privilege of paying. Don't be greedy, comrade.

*sigh*

to be honest, I do get benefits from the state but they are taking some away and you never know when they'll start taking away more.

let me tell you, republicans have a point when they say that being a net government beneficiary doesn't feel dignified and it really does make you feel like a slave to the whims of the government. I'm thankful for the benefits I get but a society where too many people need to be helped by the government isn't going to be a healthy society
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konokonohamaru posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california

Then your wonderful social programs should more than make up for any taxes you have the privilege of paying. Don't be greedy, comrade.

*sigh*

to be honest, I do get benefits from the state but they are taking some away and you never know when they'll start taking away more.

let me tell you, republicans have a point when they say that being a net government beneficiary doesn't feel dignified and it really does make you feel like a slave to the whims of the government. I'm thankful for the benefits I get but a society where too many people need to be helped by the government isn't going to be a healthy society

I was just ribbing you, I didn't mean to actually dredge any of that up if it's an uncomfortable subject.
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A rich person could break 50 laws in a day and pay all those fines without batting an eye. They'd probably do it again for their own convenience.

A poor person could not even risk paying one fine, and they'd be much more wary of the law.

This is to make rich people also care about laws and not break them because of how much money they have.
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friendbuddypal posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

friendbuddypal posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

konokonohamaru posted...

It costs me $400 a year to keep my vehicle registered

......How? My car's barely four years old and my property tax is ~$165, and license plate renewal is like $20 including the inspection.

i live in california

Then your wonderful social programs should more than make up for any taxes you have the privilege of paying. Don't be greedy, comrade.

*sigh*

to be honest, I do get benefits from the state but they are taking some away and you never know when they'll start taking away more.

let me tell you, republicans have a point when they say that being a net government beneficiary doesn't feel dignified and it really does make you feel like a slave to the whims of the government. I'm thankful for the benefits I get but a society where too many people need to be helped by the government isn't going to be a healthy society

I was just ribbing you, I didn't mean to actually dredge any of that up if it's an uncomfortable subject.

Don't worry, it's not that uncomfortable to talk about. People should know what it's like to have to rely on the government... it's not a good feeling at all. I definitely think government should help the disadvantaged but like I said I don't think it's healthy and we should try to make a society where people don't have to rely on the government.
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LightningAce11 posted...

A rich person could break 50 laws in a day and pay all those fines without batting an eye. They'd probably do it again for their own convenience.

A poor person could not even risk paying one fine, and they'd be much more wary of the law.

This is to make rich people also care about laws and not break them because of how much money they have.

Also that single mom who fought to graduate college and worked full time and lived in poverty? Ya, she finally worked her butt off and has a decent paying job. now she can pay triple on her speeding tickets cause she makes more money. Thatll teach her

LightningAce11 posted...

This is to make rich people also care about laws and not break them because of how much money they have.

Equal crime should have equal punishment. Don't break laws if you don't want to pay fines.
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How would this even be measured? By your tax bracket? That doesnt say how rich you are. The government doesnt have a clear look at how much wealth everyone has. That would require a new, expensive, and invasive bureaucracy.
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LadyVyxx posted...

LightningAce11 posted...

A rich person could break 50 laws in a day and pay all those fines without batting an eye. They'd probably do it again for their own convenience.

A poor person could not even risk paying one fine, and they'd be much more wary of the law.

This is to make rich people also care about laws and not break them because of how much money they have.

Also that single mom who fought to graduate college and worked full time and lived in poverty? Ya, she finally worked her butt off and has a decent paying job. now she can pay triple on her speeding tickets cause she makes more money. Thatll teach her

if anyone takes this seriously i swear to god
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Pukelid posted...

if anyone takes this seriously i swear to god

It's not an invalid argument.
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There shouldn't be fines.
If the crime isn't severe enough for temporary loss of freedom, then there's no way it's severe enough for permanent loss of wealth.

Questionmarktarius posted...

There shouldn't be fines.
If the crime isn't severe enough for temporary loss of freedom, then there's no way it's severe enough for permanent loss of wealth.

... weird take...
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Gobstoppers12 posted...

LightningAce11 posted...

Anybody earning below a certain threshold is screwed

They could just not break the law.

Follow the speed limit, come to a full stop at stop signs, keep your license plate up to date, wear your seatbelt, don't drink and drive, don't talk on the cell phone while driving, don't throw trash out the window, don't park where you're not supposed to, etc.

It's really not that hard. I've been driving for ten years and I've never even been pulled over.

Congratz. You dont have to break a rule to get pulled over.
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konokonohamaru posted...

Questionmarktarius posted...

There shouldn't be fines.
If the crime isn't severe enough for temporary loss of freedom, then there's no way it's severe enough for permanent loss of wealth.

... weird take...

What, are you new here?

cuttin_in_farm posted...

Congratz. You dont have to break a rule to get pulled over.

You do have to break a rule to get a ticket. Otherwise you fight it in court (and win).
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LadyVyxx posted...

LightningAce11 posted...

A rich person could break 50 laws in a day and pay all those fines without batting an eye. They'd probably do it again for their own convenience.

A poor person could not even risk paying one fine, and they'd be much more wary of the law.

This is to make rich people also care about laws and not break them because of how much money they have.

Also that single mom who fought to graduate college and worked full time and lived in poverty? Ya, she finally worked her butt off and has a decent paying job. now she can pay triple on her speeding tickets cause she makes more money. Thatll teach her

Maybe, idk, don't speed then. ;)
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Hell no. Imagine if it's 10% of your income. That's a 5 digit fine for me. Then poorer people are looking at $1000 or more vs a few hundred they were paying before.

Why do you people hate well-off people so much?
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Rich people can afford it, it'll be a drop in the bucket for someone who has millions.

Poor pepple can't.

Or there could be lower class pays less expensive fines, upper class pays more and middle class stays the same.
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kinetika_ posted...

Why do you people hate well-off people so much?

Because they are jealous neo-Marxists who will never amount to much in life

Yeah, obviously. The few countries who arent idiots already do it that way.
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kinetika_ posted...

Hell no. Imagine if it's 10% of your income. That's a 5 digit fine for me. Then poorer people are looking at $1000 or more vs a few hundred they were paying before.

Why do you people hate well-off people so much?

Shut the fucking fuck up. This is the worst post in the history of GFAQs. You are an unpatriotic and arrogant person.
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Absolutely. As it is, the more money you make, the less incentive a fine provides.
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Evening_Dragon posted...

Absolutely. As it is, the more money you make, the less incentive a fine provides.

Doesn't seem to be much of an incentive for poorer people either, considering they commit more crimes last I checked.