As I listen to the latest and greatest new sound bites and comments surrounding our upcoming election, I thought I might take a minute and introduce you to a money trail such that travels with super PAC’s. Let us take oil and gas shall we?

Have you noticed the uptick in television, radio and print advertisements from big oil and gas? Have you also noticed the political ads touting oil and gas as the savior to our economy especially if we choose a new administration in D.C.? Both come from the same people using different money.

he record profits and earnings of fossil fuel energy companies have been used not only to line the pockets of investor groups and your own 401k, but they also fund super PAC’s in-turn purchasing millions and millions of dollars in political advertising to squelch thoughts some may have about cleaner and cheaper energy. Don’t forget, these companies are not all U.S. based and even if they were, the money comes from production all over the world. Investors don’t care where the profits come from – your 401k doesn’t either; as the election draws near, the fossil fuel groups increase the pressure to assure the record profits aren’t curtailed. Thus, you now have foreign companies influencing your elections for not only their profits, but perhaps their home governments. This is no conspiracy theory. It was the door left wide open by Citizens United in 2010.

Why not build more refineries with those profits to decrease gas prices? Why not invest research dollars to find alternative choices for our energy? Why? Because these companies don’t have to. Nor do millions of Americans want them to since large amounts of wealth are ensured by the current market. Do you really want your money going to build greater wealth beyond our borders funding governments that then influence your politics? This is more than drilling in the U.S. or fracking for gas and oil causing earthquakes in Dallas. That will not change the amount of profit and political influence now allowed to foreign investors, aided by fund managers and banks, to enter into the United State’s political machine.

As you continue to drive your cars, smile at your 401k accounts, and blame Washington for your high gas prices, understand, you are being manipulated by dollars you spend to alter the way your government works. Dollars that come from unknown and undisclosed sources.