FOCUS ON ENERGY How have energy costs affected your thinking about politics and the upcoming elections?

“I believe strongly that politics and oil go hand in hand, and that the people in charge in our government are directly involved or attached to the oil industry, and they have the same interests.”

Howard Kittelson, Monroe

“They haven’t really. I just moved here from Florida, and there’s much more of a concern down there than up here in Maine.”

Alex Loftus, Mount Desert

“Yes, I’m firmly convinced that the current war is motivated for control of Iraq’s oil resources, and not for the benefit of the average citizen. They just want to increase the profits for the oil companies.”

Charles Lyons, Mount Desert

“It does change it, because they tell us we have these surpluses but prices keep rising. Instead of lowering taxes and giving us a break, they just keep upping them.”

Lorna Tripp, Manville, R.I.

“Not really. Nothing significant, anyway. I drive a fuel-efficient vehicle and I don’t think about it much.”

Jordan Netzer, Bangor

“No, not yet anyway. I don’t see it as something the government can really fix.”

Cynthia Blanchard, Dedham