The unfortunately titled social belief known as The Peter Principal comes to mind. People will rise to the level of their incompetence, and then some if no body’s paying attention.
To me "PETER'S PENCE" is a special collection taken up by the Catholic Church.
From Google:
Peter's Pence is payment made voluntarily to the Roman Catholic Church. It began under the Saxons in England and is seen in other countries. Though formally discontinued in England at the time of the Reformation, a post-Reformation payment of uncertain characteristics is seen in some English manors into the 19th century. In 1871, Pope Pius IX formalized the practice of lay members of the church – and "other persons of good will" – providing financial support to the Roman See.
Also:
The ancient payment (1031–1555)
The term Peter's pence, in its Latin form, first appeared in 1031, and the payment may not have had a single origin under the Saxons. Whether seen as a pious contribution, or merely a levy, it evidently underwent various changes both before and after the Norman conquest. It was applied by the Normans to Ireland as a 'penny per hearth' annual tax in the later part of the twelfth century under the Papal Bull Laudabiliter. The traditional scholarly view is summarized in Jacob's Law Dictionary Peter-Pence (Denarii Sancti Petri). Otherwise called in the Saxon Romefeoh (the fee due to Rome), it was a tribute or rather an alms given by Ina, King of the West Saxons, in his pilgrimage to Rome in 725. The like was also collected by Offa, King of the Mercians, throughout his dominions, in 794. However, it was said to be not a tribute to the pope, but for the sustenation of the English School or College at Rome. It was called Peter-pence because a penny from every house was collected on 1 August, the feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula. King Edgar’s Laws contain a sharp Constitution touching this money.
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In truth, no one HAS to give a nickel to the Church. One can simply let the collection basket PASS BY like a passing breeze. No one in the Church forces a Catholic to write that check. It truly is voluntary.