Everyone spewing opinions in this thread so they can get their upvotes from like minded readers is missing the 800lb gorilla. It's not in the state's interest

Everyone spewing opinions in this thread so they can get their upvotes from like minded readers is missing the 800lb gorilla. It's not in the state's interest to kill profitable things most of the time except occasionally as a deterrent example. It's the same reason richer people (who pay a lot of taxes, engage in activity spawning yet more taxes, etc) tend to get probation instead of jail. Likewise, the state is happy to kill small(er) businesses. It does this all the time and it doesn't make the news. Whereas with the big ones it just takes its pound of flesh and keeps things running. As long as that incentive mostly remains, the outcomes will mostly remain.