More effective than random large punishments, sure, but fines are still a fundamentally ineffective way of discouraging whatever behavior. If something is punishable by a fine, that means poor people aren't allowed to do it and rich people are, nothing more and nothing less.
No, that really doesn't fix it. 50% of Elon Musk's income is an absurd, unfathomable amount of money, and it could vanish into the ether without affecting his quality of life at all. 50% of the average person's income would put them on the streets.
More effective than random large punishments, sure, but fines are still a fundamentally ineffective way of discouraging whatever behavior. If something is punishable by a fine, that means poor people aren't allowed to do it and rich people are, nothing more and nothing less.
Fine as a portion of income.
Or better yet, require the person do X hours community service.
No, that really doesn't fix it. 50% of Elon Musk's income is an absurd, unfathomable amount of money, and it could vanish into the ether without affecting his quality of life at all. 50% of the average person's income would put them on the streets.