No one on here as cheated the benefits system, declared a smaller profit on their taxes, paid a builder/plumber/electrician/window cleaner cash in hand, or got paid cash in hand themselves?
If yes, then you are a hypocrite about this (as am I).
If no, then you are a liar.
All my examples in some way reflect the size of the public purse. You (you!) have cheated the system too! (As have I).
There are two differences here: efficiency, and culpability.
One, MPs are much better than we are at defrauding the system. They themselves get to set the parameters which they work by, thus making the rules more favourable.
Two, If we are caught swindling our taxes, or cheating with benefits, then we are committing an offence. MPs more often than not, may express sorrow, and pay back any egregious claims they have made. This is wrong, but a symptom of what happens with 'expenses'.
The problem we have is that journalists have created this furore, even though they themselves (especially the BBC in this case, regarding public funds) are the some of the biggest expense whores on the planet!
Now, don't get me wrong. Some of the MPs here are despicable. They truly are fleecing the state, and feathering their own nest. They often come from a social bubble, and they actually believed that they are owed this living by the proles.
Any expenses system is open to abuse. They should pay MPs a wage for what they do (even if that means a 40-50% increase across the board), and deny them any (ANY!) expenses. Whether you are from Scotland, or Pall Mall, you get paid the same, and have to sort your own shit out. No second home allowances, no travel expenses. Tough!