Election Issue

Whats the difference between politicians that fiddle their expenses and a common say shoplifter?

I can't see any myself.Except a shoplifter does'nt pretend to be honest but politicians do.

Public Comments

1. The common shoplifter doesn't get a weekly paycheck from the taxpayers.
2. Shoplifters don't steal as much.
3. shoplifters and other common crooks AREN'T ELECTED!!
4. Shoplifters are breaking the law. MP's are operating to their self-made rules, so operating within the law.
5. Shoplifters do pretend to be honest customers so they are equal morally. Then it is just a matter of dollars.
6. I agree with the questioner.There is no fundamental difference at all.except politicians can do their dirty work without being penalised.Or put another way;State robbery!
7. There really isn't much difference except that politicians look respectable and wear a suit. Same goes for corporate crooks who cheat an expense account at work. Loads and loads of executives do this every day. The crazy part is that it is very similar to a politician cheating their expense account because corporations receive so many tax breaks and receive so much corporate welfare that the money cheated on an expense account is probably taxpayer money anyways.
8. the shoplifter gets away stuffing an item or two under their coat. the politician needs a brinks armored car to haul away his or her take. by the way, did anyone notice that dirty harry, the majority leader of the u.s. senate, was trumpeting about the passage of a bill to stop corporations and individuals from maintaining their finances in foreign countries, or those with favorable tax laws? did he not realize that the august senior senator from massachusetts has his loot stashed in the fiji islands. woe to harry for having inflicted financial harm on the honorable edward m. kennedy, democrat, the commonwealth of massachusetts!
9. the shoplifter gets taken to court. the shop lifter cant say oh sorry ive been caught so ill give it back. the shoplifter is usually driven to crime by poverty and destitution
10. Politicians steal more than the common shoplifter
11. A shoplifter uses the front door.
12. There is no difference. Shoplifters often get caught out by CCTV though.
13. Morally, nothing. But the law only applies to civilians, not civil servants in their jobs. Not since the current government over rode the common laws put in place to stop this very thing of corruption. They can come and throw you in jail, confiscate all your property, with not so much as a 'by your leave', these days. They will accuse you of conspiracy for some trumped up reason where you have to prove your innocence rather than guilt. Or of terrorism because you stole a loaf of bread. Ridiculous monstrous, out of control dictatorship. It's just a dictatorship that wears a different hat once every few years. Practicing Shaman... quantum physics rocks.