Which is worse?

In the financial markets, as with public policy making, credibility is everything. So which is worse?

(1) The US Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, falsifying his own tax returns, thereby depriving taxpayers of $34,000, or

(2) Canada’s Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, falsifying his own government’s tax leakage analysis, thereby depriving taxpayers of $35,000,000,000?

Answer: Neither is acceptable. Neither gentleman is fit for public office.