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My point is that saying “there is no unreasonable fine if it works” is naive absolutism. Even with proportional fines, does fining someone 99% of their income c
by mcmcmc 2mo ago
My point is that saying “there is no unreasonable fine if it works” is naive absolutism. Even with proportional fines, does fining someone 99% of their income count as too high? If proportionality is irrelevant than there is no way to differentiate which crimes deserve what punishments.
- 59percentmore 2mo agoIt depends. Does fining someone 99% of their income make it impossible for them to live with basic dignity? There are many, many people for which it wouldn't, especially if you limit to W2 income (as so many income-based tests do). I've long been of the opinion that the focus on "how much is being taken" is wrongheaded, and pushed primarily to advantage elites. What about, "how much are you left with?" Now, suddenly, it's in their best interests for the popular understanding of "enough to live on" to be quite high. If we're talking perverse incentives, we are currently living in a regime worse than many of the alternatives.