Posted on 03/05/2015 1:37:43 PM PST by xp38
Breaking the law in Finland will cost you, but exactly how much depends on a couple of things. One is the severity of the crime committed, and the other is the lawbreaker's income.
The latter factor is in place to ensure that punishments are equally felt by all be they rich or poor. Due to his millionaire status, Reima Kuisla was handed a roughly 60 thousand dollar ticket for traveling 14 miles per hour over the posted limit.
Before issuing the citation, authorities looked up the man's 2013 tax return and calculated the amount accordingly.Though the ticket value is based on long-standing law, Kuisla feels that he's been treated unfairly.
He wrote on his Facebook page, "Finland is impossible to live in for certain kinds of people who have high incomes and wealth."
Before the age of technology, the nation's top earners did have a bit of a loophole. Back then when asked to state their annual income, a number of them just lied. Though numerous rich people have complained about the sliding scale system, based on responses to Kuisla's grievances, not everybody is sympathetic to their woes.
One individual astutely pointed out, "If you follow the rules you won't have to pay fines."
Comments?
Yes, Sammy Hagar says he can’t drive 55.
A good idea. After all, if you are a multimillionaire, you have no real deterrent for disobeying the law. The point of fines is to inflict pain and deter, unless you want to start throwing everyone in jail for trivial offences.
Obama sez...”Dang, why didn’t I think of that!”
How poor do you have to be to not have to pay a fine, or is there a floor?
You get the government you elect (or allow to exist)
Another way to soak the rich? And give our government more ideas on wealth redistribution?
If they’re going to pro-rate the fine, they ought to also pro-rate the speed limit.
Maybe all the punishments should be corporal. Everybody would suffer equally.
The purpose of such fines in funding, not correctional behavior.
Do away with speeders and there is no revenue coming in.
Yes but you don’t want to run off all the rich people.
I fines serve better as recompense for damages, not as punishments. I don’t see how a rich man speeding is a greater problem than a poor man.
Its obscene.
So justice is dispensed on the ability to pay?
Guess the blindfold kinda came off the eyes.
What’s next? Car prices on a sliding scale? The guy who achieves the least gets a free Ferrari?
From each... To each...
Yeah, I’ve heard of that...
“After all, if you are a multimillionaire, you have no real deterrent for disobeying the law. The point of fines is to inflict pain and deter, unless you want to start throwing everyone in jail for trivial offence”
+1. I also like _truly_ equal justice. In Sweden, the judge doesn’t want to hear about your poor wife, hungry kids, or your important business to run. You drive drunk, you are going to the slammer. For a month, I believe.
I see this as redistributive. This fine does not match the violation. The fine should not be based entirely upon an ability to pay.
The better approach is to enter the fine, but also enter the judgment on the driving record. The real deterrent is that repeated behavior gets the license yanked. That’s independent of money.
It’s only fair. (if you’re a commie)
“Maybe all the punishments should be corporal. Everybody would suffer equally.”
There really are some good points to Islam.
Yes comrade!
Wont this just force the super rich to always ride via limousine?
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