>The article Nigel links to addresses your "everyone does it" argument. They go out of their way to state that the Bush administration's actions (and because a Republican congress has been loath to stand up for scientific integrity) are unprecedented. The article and the website linked to states...
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>Although scientific input to the government is rarely the only factor in public policy decisions, this input should always be weighed from an objective and impartial perspective to avoid perilous consequences. Indeed, this principle has long been adhered to by presidents and administrations of both parties in forming and implementing policies. The administration of George W. Bush has, however, disregarded this principle.
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>I'm sure there is an "everyone does it" aspect, but we do have a clear winner.

Wrong. We do not have a clear winner because each Administration has the power to appoint Agency and Department heads. Whoever the next Democrat President is will do the same thing. Once the Senate confirms them, they are for the most part free to lead their agencies. While there are Congressional hearings for budgets, performance, etc., the members of Congress bow to the money of the lobbyists. The only appearance they give for lording over an agency head is purely for grandstanding for their own political purposes.

The use of MTBE in our fuel for over 8 years continues to be a below-the-radar disaster to this day. All over the U.S., MTBE has contaminated our ground water supplies and some surface water supplies (one right here in Dallas area a few years ago). At least ethanol is good for something other than just a gas additive. :)

However, I am sure you can point to a Congress that was not "loath to stand up for scientific integrity."