Life is funny. If I write a bad check, I go to jail. A senator or congressman writes a bad check, it turns into an investigation, vendor never gets their money, life goes on.
If I lied on my resume and put some bogus degree (which I wouldn't by the way. Like Hewbrew National Hotdogs - I answer to a Higher Authority) to attain a job, and was found out later I lied, I would be fired, and rightly so.
What does an example like this set? Higher up the ladder you are, the more you can get away with. If you're just a lowly commoner like me, and most of the population, keep it honest or you get crucified.