It's not just Bush that's bought and paid for, it's our entire government - both sides of the aisle. And over the last 20 years they (politicians and business) have managed to convince a lot of the US citizens that's the way it should be by calling it capitalism (excuse me CAPITALISM) and "Free Trade."
Want proof they ARE bought and paid for?
ExxonMobil makes a $10 billion profit in one quarter, following record profits for 4-5 quarters which has been echoed on a somewhat smaller scale for all the biggest oil companies, and Congress passes, and Bush signs, a bill that gives a nearly $4 billion in tax cuts directly to the oil and gas industries. (The total tax cuts were closer to $12 billion, but the other $8 billion went to other energy industries, including nuclear, and for research into alternatives, though that only amounted to around $1.5 billion) Want to bet the $4 billion gets pretty much split between the biggest companies and the little guys that need it more see zippo?
These big oil outfits may have once been US companies, but they are now huge, multinational corporations that have absolutely no regard for anything but the constant quest for ever increasing profit, regardless how it affects the people of any country.
Now the prediction is that Natural Gas prices will rise 71% this winter (used for heating in the midwest) and heating oil will go up over 30%.
Get ready for 'bend over round two.'