3 ms·

Punishing the individual is only half of the reason we have prisons. The other half is to dissuade others from doing the same.

• Spivak 3y ago
  Surely we can do better than that, right? Like I imagine for a white-collar rich boy capping his income at $55k+inflation which includes the monetary values of gifts and any income from debt has to be pre-approved [1] would be far far more devastating, less cruel, and less drain on society. And this lasts for x years or until he pays back the damages. [1] so he could buy a car and house but not skirt the rule by using loans against an asset portfolio to make more "income" for himself.
  • nvm0n2 3y ago
    Why would he bother looking for a job with income over the limit? What would stop him immediately starting another scam? Who would even hire such a guy to begin with?
    • Spivak 3y ago
      I'm sure Starbucks would take him. And he might choose to not bother working a better paying job, that's fine. And the threat is that if he starts another scam he gets house arrest then jail in addition.
      • escapedmoose 3y ago
        This is just the original sentence with extra steps. The hypothetical “second chance” you’re attempting to give him was used up every time he chose to take another step in perpetuating his fraud. I’m not a fan of the current imprisonment establishment either, but this solution doesn’t seem viable.
  • wrsh07 3y ago
    Guy famous for one of the biggest scams in history: "sure, I'll abide the rules where I report all of my earnings even if that means you tax everything I earn beyond 55k"
  • mcguire 3y ago
    What punishment do you envision for someone who steals $20 from a convenience store?
    • meowtimemania 3y ago
      community service the first few times they are caught. After that some prison time
    • orangepurple 3y ago
      3 lashes and let him go. Not worth holding any period of time.
  • maxerickson 3y ago
    Why $55k? Are they allowed to have kids? If yes, are the kids included in the punishment?