Barber Shop Joke
Here's a joke someone sent me recently - which hits the nail right on the head when it comes to Westminster MPs.
Now I know there are many honourable exceptions when it comes to MPs and their expenses - not all of them had their noses in the trough.
But while only a handful ended up in court - the truth is many more were happily exploiting 'rules' which were drawn up to protect public money.
Only for MPs to drive a coach and horses through the rules on a regular basis - making a complete mockery of the 'golden' rule - that expenses could only be claimed for things that helped MPs do their jobs effectively.
Like dog food - or getting someone to launder your shirts and pants.
And that's not all - because the House of Commons allows many bad practices to continue - by turning a blind eye to things that would be outlawed in any other walk of life.
Such as MPs moonlighting from their day jobs on a regular basis - to the public purse subsidising their eating and drinking habits to the tune of £5.8 million every year.
Haircut
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen doughnuts waiting for him at his door.
Then an MP came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The MP was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen MPs lined up waiting for a free haircut.
Which illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of the country - and the politicians who run the country on our behalf.
