As I was taking my son to school this morning, I was listening to the mind manipulation station on the radio, CNN. I guess FOX could be characterized in the same light, but with a more conservative tilt.

I call these people mind manipulators because when you ask a Republicrat for an opinion on a subject, the just reverberate what they heard from a media outlet. It seems very few people have an original thought these days.

I wanted to bring this subject to light because oil executives will get grilled today on capital hill about the industries massive profits.

What I find hilarious is the squeaky, whiney tone of the two Republicrats on the radio, as they complained about being gouged by the oil companies. I have news for them, they are being gouged every month by politicians who will be accusing the oil companies of gouging.

As an example, there is at least a 33% tax on a gallon of gas. In some parts of the country, it is much more. Have you ever looked at your monthly cable, power, and telephone bills? Talk about gouging?

Why did I bring all this up? Because I want to emphasize the importance of independent thought. Today, you will see some softness in many of the major oil stocks. I am convinced that oil prices will go lower, but eventually a decoupling effect will take place where the price of oil will come down, and oil stocks will rally. Why?

The short term outlook for the price of crude does not affect the longer term demand issue. China, India, and the rest of the world are not going to reverse course. In addition, the refining issue will take years to resolve, if it is resolved at all.

Don't forget oil and politics either. The media has been harping on the beating the Republicans took in the governor's races in New Jersey, and Virginia. Since state Governor's do not set our nations policies, the big money people within the Republican party will make sure everything is rosy by the mid-term elections. After that, oil will resume its march higher.

Yesterday, crude oil was up only .02 cents, and oil stocks were rallying. Once prices stabilize, I think you'll see a gradual move upward. The energy sector's rise will probably resume because of the colder temperatures forecasted for late next week.

As for the markets, the popular averages moved lower yesterday on light volume. The morning's weak opening was due to the market being short term extended, and some profit taking was tied to continued Muslim problems in France. Yesterday's quiet, low volume trade looks like a normal "time out" since the S&P is up almost 3.7% from late October.