[cs02rm0]

A $50 ticket is not going to deter bill gates from speeding.

Of course. But I don't think we can sensibly, or ethically, charge him an amount that would. How much would deter him to the same degree? $1m probably wouldn't cut it either.

Instead, surely we should either accept that and charge everyone the same absolute amount or find other more equitable ways of deterring him. License points, driving bans, community service, prison time, anything that isn't just taking obscene amounts of money simply because the guy has worked smart and earns more.

[skate22]

all of those other things you listed are already in place and cost people time & dignity (which enough money can offset the cost of)

It needs to sting for everyone, not just the poor.

Do you reject higher tax brackets for the wealthy under that same line of reasoning?

Surely wealth is an important factor in deciding what people owe to society

[cs02rm0]

Use those other things for punishment then, don't sting them additionally just because they're wealthier (or rather, have a higher income).

Getting off track here, but I'd rather there were as few tax rates as practical. Perhaps even one under a basic income system. Then the rate is upfront, clear and honest. Not a compounding system of stealth taxes.

Worth noting that wealth is not the same as income, but we tend to tax income rather than wealth, at least until death.