Saying that there are no conspiracies is like saying people don't ever breathe.
Where power is to be gained you will find corruption, the elite want to stay at the top and are not beyond smoothing the way with all manner of means.
Bildeberg is well documented yet the most secretive meeting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_and_bones

Both Bush and Kerry are "Bonesmen"

http://home.comcast.net/~plutarch/skullbones.html

A list of members of S&B

http://www.meta-religion.com/Secret_...ll/part_10.htm

It may be BS in parts but then so is what half of your goverment tells you, no smoke without fire just keeps coming into my mind.
Money talks and how many politicians have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar ?