Let’s be fair. Had Bill Clinton been of oil baron heritage, or Al Gore connected with a company steeped in petroleum revenues during a time when the cost of gasoline went astronomic, conservatives would have howled all the more for his head. [Pause for reflection on the words "Bill Clinton" and "head."]

So where is the outrage over the trebling of gas prices just in the second half of the Bush Administration? How suspicious is it that as his time in office diminishes, the cost at the pump goes up?

The Spy is no conspiracy theorist, but many nefarious things go on in business and government below the public radar. And with profits as gigantic as they continue to be, who could stand up to challenging the oil companies, the cartels or the government?

“They” got us used to $2.50 a gallon gas, now we think $3 is “cheap.” The campaign has already started to get us thinking about $5, $6 and even $10 a gallon.

Why have our legislators – federal and state – been so complacent on this? Where is the demand for explanation? The impact of higher gas prices is universal and devastating. The cost of everything is rising not just because of delivery overhead, but because of the thousands of items that rely on petroleum for ingredients and packaging. So why aren’t our senators and representatives screaming on our behalf?

Take a look at Exxon. It’s Directors are involved in everything from Frito-Lay, to Anheuser-Busch, to the United Negro College Fund. Also, Goldman-Sachs, Harvard Business School, Verizon and ATT. The people who run Exxon are imbeded in every part of our national fabric and are, thus, influencing it.

A dozen or so members of the Exxon Board are members, senior members or the leadership of the Council on Foreign Relations and more belong to fora, other boards and foundations. On the surface, there’s nothing inherently nefarious about that, but given the current state of world economies and the incestuous relationships, we have to wonder and worry.

So, are George Bush and Dick Cheney part of a a conspiracy to rape the public for the profit and pleasure of “big oil?” Dunno.

I’m just sayin’.