Why do men in power -- the ones on pedestals -- think they are above us and can get away with cheating on their spouses, particularly when media scrutiny is so intense and peccadilloes are arguably more politically damaging?

Political leaders have been writing checks, making apologies, calling for inquiries and even threatening action against their own lieutenants in an effort to survive the publication of their expense claims in Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper over the past few days.

The unprecedented public outrage against politicians of all hues after the daring 60-hour terror atrocity on Mumbai's landmarks spawned from the sinking feeling that they had been left in the lurch.