Yes and on top of the obvious absurdity of this statement, there is a second level. As long as we punish things with fines they are effectively legal if you're rich enough.
That principle is only relevant in societies that don't have lotteries or inheritance, among other changes.
Curious where that idea comes from - source? Haven't encountered it.
I know that many people _think_ that, or _feel_ that way, but I haven't read anything (philosophy, political philosophy, etc), that actually theorizes it _should_ be that way, or that it really _is_ that way.
Tim Berners-Lee -- how much money does he have, and what is his contribution to society?
Or, the classic kindergarten teacher vs NBA player, etc.