Skull and Bones: Secret society rules the U.S.

As opposite as George Bush and John Kerry may seem to be, they do share a common secret - one they've shared for decades, and one they will not share with the electorate. The secret: details of their membership in Skull and Bones, the elite Yale University society whose members include some of the most powerful men of the 20th century. Over the years, Bones has included presidents, cabinet officers, spies, Supreme Court justices, captains of industry, and often their sons and lately their daughters, a social and political network like no other (list of members). President Bush has tapped five fellow Bonesmen to join his administration. Most recently, he selected William Donaldson, Skull and Bones 1953, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Like the President, he's taken the Bones oath of silence.
Skull and Bones, with all its ritual and macabre relics, was founded in 1832 as a new world version of secret student societies that were common in Germany at the time. Since then, it has chosen or "tapped" only 15 senior students a year who become patriarchs when they graduate - lifetime members of the ultimate old boys' club. Alexandra Robbins, author of the book “Secrets of the Tomb” says in an interview with "60 minutes" that is the main purpose of this secret society is to get as many members as possible into positions of power. Whatever the result of this year's presidential election will be: The power of the "leader of the free world" will remain in the hands of a member of Skull and Bones.