On the effect of government inquiry.

I suggest the following experiments in response to this comment from a local city councilman:

Our silly senator Barbara Boxer as usual called for an investigation which always fails. The price of gas fell dramatically from 3 to 2 dollars in a short period and some people still believe this was due to the greedy oil execs deciding to avoid an investigation and lowering the price even below the previous low pre-Katrina.

Two experiments:
The first, a thought experiment only. Any(every)one can do this.
You are driving north on 280, and you pass a speed limit sign. It says
65MPH. You look at your speedometer which says 75.
Q: you do which of the following:
a: slow down
b: speed up
c: maintain speed

Suppose that your journey continues another two miles on 280, and you notice
a highway patrolman.
Q:you do which of the following:
a: slow down
b: speed up
c: maintain speed

The second can only be done fully by someone with access to
a police or traffic enforcement agency.

Stand at the intersection of a high volume traffic light controlled
intersection, such as Castro and California. Do this for a half hour on a
weekday between 11:30 am and 1pm. Count the cars violating the traffic law.
Next day, repeat with one change. Wear a police uniform and make yourself
visible. Count the violations. You could modify your visibility and increase
the impact by having a marked police car with lights flashing ticketing a
person in an unmarked police car at the intersection.
Q:do you expect there to be:
a: a decrease in traffic violations
b: an increase in traffic violations
c: no change in violations