More Government Malfeasance

This is the kind of thing that happens when you put a couple of oilmen in the White House. It was bad enough that the White House let the oil companies write our energy policy, but now we learn that the oil companies are also literally in bed with Interior Department officials who are supposed to be overseeing their actions.

According to three reports released by Interior Department Inspector General Earl Devaney, the oil companies are insuring cooperation of government regulators by plying them with illegal drugs, illicit sex, meals and drinks, tickets to sporting events, gifts worth more than the federal gift limit, and good old-fashioned cash.

These companies haven't stopped at buying the White House and Congressional Republicans. They've made sure they can get what they want by buying lesser government officials also. This is just more proof that when you have lying and corruption at the top, it will filter down to all levels of government.

It should come as no surprise that Republicans have taken up the call to let oil companies drill in our pristine national reserves and our off-shore areas. They know it won't have any effect on gas prices, but it will create the opportunity for future payoffs and "campaign donations".

As Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "The allegations of illicit and unethical behavior detailed in the inspector general's report are directly related to the energy debate taking place in the Congress this week. Little did we know how cozy the relationship between Big Oil and the administration's regulators have been."

We have to get the Republicans out of power in the coming election. Maybe then we could develop an energy policy that consists of more than just selling out to the big oil companies.