"I understand companies want cheap feedstock, " adds John Felmy, the chief economist at the American Petroleum Institute, another trade group.

WSJ: Export U.S. Gas, Yes or No?

"Companies are looking at doing more self funding, because borrowing is not going to be cheap forever, " said John Ahearn, global head of trade at Citigroup Inc.

WSJ: P&G, Big Companies Pinch Suppliers on Payments

Soon after the column was published I got a scolding letter from John Bogle, founder of Vanguard Group and patron saint of cheap index funds.

FORBES: How Many Funds Should You Own?

This year's pilot roster includes Ted Danson, Tina Fey, Calista Flockhart, Elton John, Spike Lee, John Lithgow, Amanda Peet, Matthew Perry and James Woods, none of whom come cheap.

FORBES: Pilots That Crash