Tony hits two made guys. Ralphie at the Bing after he kills that girl, and stapling that parking ticket to Mikey Palmice's jacket for his fuckface-itus. I think the show's premise is that rule violations these days are frowned upon for good earners, but not necessarily enforced. Some mope who isn't bringing in any real money probably gets tossed into the meat grinder at Satriale's for hitting a made guy. Tony had other reasons that he considered killing Paulie but clearly his lineage was not important enough to raise as an issue. Tony was new school.
" New School" ..... I like that and agree.
That's pretty much how it is on the street as well, for the most part the all mighty dollar.
Used to be 3 ways to get ur button 1) Loyal Shooter 2) Earner 3) Family relationships
Today shooting is more or less a thing of the past so if your not born into it, you have to $$$$ EARN that button now.
