We are "under their thumb" because, being the supplier of raw
materials, they set the prices (and *availability*) of our energy
supply.

wrote:
The marketplace sets the price, not the arabs.


Well, that's true... I guess those OPEC meetings where they
make agreements about how much they'll pump, and what
they'll charge... it's part of "the marketplace." And if a
group of oil producing countries decide not to sell to the
U.S. for some political reason, then we can always buy from
somebody else... probably at a higher price of course, with
the laws of supply & demand being what they are... but
that's all part of "the marketplace" too.

Isn't it nice to dismiss somebody else's statements, and go
on as if you've proved something!

DSK