seems that there's corruption at every level

in every corner, when it comes to oil & gas.

The NYT investigates what led the Bush administration to waive $7 billion in oil-industry royalties, employing an incentive that was meant to be used when energy prices were low. Instead, say Democrats, taxpayers are paying to subsidize oil companies at a time of record profits. The answer: "a law riddled with ambiguities," "crucial errors by midlevel bureaucrats under President Bill Clinton," "inducements from the Bush administration," and "shrewd lobbying and litigation" at every turn from oil and gas companies.