[Rick Lee]

Sticks and carrots, Matt. The Iranian gov't. makes the gas prices there a few cents per gallon and most other countries do business with them. The US and Israel are the only ones who don't. Even oppressive regimes take steps to keep ahead of the people's frustrations. This is especially evident in China, which is also a very oppressive regime. But they've given folks just enough of a taste of prosperity that folks put making money FAR ahead of being able to vote or have a free press. Ditto for Iran. The gubmint leaves people alone to do what they want in their houses. They don't round up satellite dishes and they don't even enfoce a lot of their "morality" laws anymore. Alcohol is readily available and singles can date without too much hassle. The gubmint just doesn't let it go too far.