I used to believe in a few conspiracy theories. For instance, I actually thought the government might have set Timothy McVeigh up, to discredit the militia movement. I just thought that killing innocent children was unforgivable, and an act like that would be too evil if you actually wanted to get a message across to the public. I thought it would have the opposite effect, and people who might support your "cause" would actually be leaving in droves. But after witnessing the emergence of the Tea Party, I came to understand that some people really are that fluffing crazy.
As far as the "Illuminati" goes, many people point to the Bilderberg Group as being the modern day version.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group
While I don't believe a small group of people like this actually controls every aspect of society, we have to look at what's happening in the world. The rich are getting richer. The Middle Class is disappearing. Corporations dictate to individuals what they need to do in order to have a career. Now, some even ask for your Facebook profile, because they want to know "what kind of person you are". Our rights are being trampled and our privacy is being invaded.
Mark my words, if it continues to get any worse they will even be allowed to put cameras up in your home to see what you are up to, eventually. Think about it: If they could get away with it, they would do it, wouldn't they? They already tried to pass a law where they could monitor what we are looking at online, legally.
Corporations also dictate to the government. They've grown so influential our government can't pass regulations, close loopholes, or even impose a miniscule tax increase on them. They don't want us to stand up and protest, or fight back, so they feed us mindless entertainment that never ends, such as reality tv programs. It's easy to laugh at someone that has it worse off than you do, or ACTING dumber than you are.
Am I being paranoid, or am I telling the truth?
It's also become too easy for us to worship the celebrity/rich lifestyles, and accept our "lowly" station in life. Do you remember how vicious the attacks on Occupy Wall Street were? They are making us afraid, and ignorant.
Is it all coming from one particular group? I don't think so....but one thing is for sure, they are getting away with everything they can right now, short of kicking down our doors and killing us.