That would be a blow to the regional governors, as it would create larger regional companies too big to remain under their thumb.

ECONOMIST: Russian electricity

At companies owned by private equity, the board and the shareholders are one and the same: their directors are hardly under the thumb of managers.

ECONOMIST: Executive pay

Investors who aren't under Uncle Sam's thumb can move their money elsewhere, bidding up prices and driving down yields on other fixed-income assets in the U.S. and offshore.

WSJ: The Intelligent Investor: Why Bondholders Should Be Worried