Election Sneak

Everyone knows it's election season. This midterm election is proving to be as contentious as most Presidential elections. Stakes have scarcely been higher—as the Democrats aim to take control of the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate. But you already knew that.

What you might be wondering, as I am, is how gas prices have remained low over the past several weeks. The price of oil is now on the rise again—in time for post election middle-class consumers who can't take their anger out at the polling booth.

Of course, the oil companies have denied any kind of pre-election quelling of prices. What are they going to say, "Yeah, you're right, we're doing our best to help the Republicans"? Of course not. Either way—whether they are indeed relaxing prices to stave off economic backlash against the Republicans at the polls, or if their hands are clean—their response would be the same. It means nothing.

I've lived in California long enough to recognize a spade and call it one; when it comes to energy I've gotten very good at it. I lived (and paid) through Enron's manipulations. I recognized them before it was popular to do so, and received plenty of eye-rolls from swing voters and conservatives.

And now Saddam has been sentenced to death. It's a development likely to cause increased anger, blood shed, and sectarian violence among Iraqis—but it will no doubt be hailed as some kind of victory by President Bush and his conservative base.

Two days before these contentious midterm elections.

I've lived long enough to recognize a spade and call it one.