Weird News

TexasTowelie

(112,248 posts) Mon Apr 27, 2015, 01:50 AM Apr 2015

$58,000 Finnish speeding ticket based on millionaire’s income

HELSINKI — Getting a speeding ticket is not a feel-good moment for anyone. But consider Reima Kuisla, a Finnish businessman.

He was recently fined 54,024 euros ($58,000) for traveling a modest, if illegal, 64 mph in a 50 mph zone. And no, the 54,024 euros did not turn out to be a typo, or a mistake of any kind.

Kuisla is a millionaire, and in Finland the fines for more serious speeding infractions are calculated according to income. The thinking is that if it stings for the little guy, it should sting for the big guy, too.

The ticket had its desired effect. Kuisla, 61, took to Facebook last month with 12 furious posts in which he included a picture of his speeding ticket and a picture of what 54,024 euros could buy if it was not going to the state coffers — a new Mercedes. He said he was seriously considering leaving Finland altogether.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/world/article/58-000-Finnish-speeding-ticket-based-on-6224056.php

[font color=green]Call out the waaahmbulance.[/font]

9 replies

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Highlight:

$58,000 Finnish speeding ticket based on millionaire’s income (Original Post) TexasTowelie Apr 2015 OP

He'll probably move to the U.S... SoapBox Apr 2015 #1

How uncharacteristically teabaggish for a Finn. SunSeeker Apr 2015 #2

Well yeah, for that kind of money he could buy another Mercedes... bearssoapbox Apr 2015 #3

He could even hire a chauffeur and provide a job. Downwinder Apr 2015 #4

That's what the rich in the U.S. say that they do. (make jobs) bearssoapbox Apr 2015 #6

Purchase. Downwinder Apr 2015 #7

Right bearssoapbox Apr 2015 #8

Poor Guy rpannier Apr 2015 #5

"He should have known the law" William Seger Apr 2015 #9

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)

1. He'll probably move to the U.S...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 03:46 AM

Apr 2015

So he can speed and rub elbows with creeps like Murdoch and the KKKoch Klowns.

SunSeeker

(51,571 posts)

2. How uncharacteristically teabaggish for a Finn.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 03:48 AM

Apr 2015

Most Finns understand that their government uses the money from taxes and fines to advance the greater good: built roads, fund education, etc. This douchebag's $58K will do a lot more good in the hands of the Finnish government than a Mercedes dealership. His suggestion to the contrary is very un-Finnish.

And fines based on ability to pay is an utterly civilized, fair and effective standard. That is the standard we have in US courts for punitive damages. Too bad we don't apply it more often to corporations and the rich. But, alas they have the money to buy a legal team to avoid fines altogether. I guess subverting justice with money is not as easy to do in Finland.

bearssoapbox

(1,408 posts)

3. Well yeah, for that kind of money he could buy another Mercedes...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 04:03 AM

Apr 2015

In which to break the speed limit.

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)

4. He could even hire a chauffeur and provide a job.

Reply to bearssoapbox (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 05:04 AM

Apr 2015

Isn't making jobs what millionaires are supposed to do?

bearssoapbox

(1,408 posts)

6. That's what the rich in the U.S. say that they do. (make jobs)

Reply to Downwinder (Reply #4)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 05:17 AM

Apr 2015

And they employ politicians to prove it.

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)

7. Purchase.

Reply to bearssoapbox (Reply #6)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 05:47 AM

Apr 2015

Employ implies doing something.

bearssoapbox

(1,408 posts)

8. Right

Reply to Downwinder (Reply #7)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 06:42 AM

Apr 2015

rpannier

(24,329 posts)

5. Poor Guy

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 05:05 AM

Apr 2015

He's obviously the real victim here
This can't be something new.
He should have known the law
Maybe he'll think twice

William Seger

(10,778 posts)

9. "He should have known the law"

Reply to rpannier (Reply #5)

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 10:29 AM

Apr 2015

That's the real kicker to this story:

Kuisla’s $58,000 ticket is not even the most severe speeding ticket issued in recent years. According to another daily newspaper, Ilkka, Kuisla himself got an even bigger fine in 2013 when he was going 76 mph in a 50 mph zone. That ticket was for 63,448 euros, about $83,769 at the time.

It seems that fine wasn't enough to dull his sense of entitlement.

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