[wpietri]

Why stop there? As a rich man, he should be able to replace his failing liver by claiming yours.

Alas, he can't in either case, because we the people have created limiting the unchecked exercise of power.

[khazhoux]

Sure, there are laws limiting the totally unchecked exercise of power. Your example is too extreme, though.

In my case, I was being sarcastic... yet it's nearly true. His mega-wealth let him buy the oceanside estate to begin with, and then his mega-wealth lets him ignore fines. The laws against this abuse are (as evidence here) quite weak.

[ams6110]

That's the thing about fines. To really be punitive, they should be indexed to the wealth of the offender.

[jacquesm]

Confiscate his land. Problem solved.

[PhasmaFelis]

I know sarcasm is hard to nail down on the internet, but I thought that one was pretty clear.

[lovich]

You'd think so but I've met people who havr, in total seriousness, stated that a dollar of their money was worth more than 10,000 human lives and they shouldn't have to pay any taxes to help out other citizens. Some people truly believe that if you have more money, you are a better person

[khazhoux]

Unfortunately, the use of irony on HN often fails, because apparently we don't trust any more that the members here are intelligent and ethical.

[wpietri]

Maybe I've spent too long here, but I have run across far too many advocates for the unchecked exercise of power by the powerful.