I don't know whether the market is being manipulated but from my research I can accept that it would be possible. You would have to use futures and you would have to have deep pockets and be willing and able to lose a lot of money. However if the end result was to maintain a buoyant and rising stockmarket and you were the govt perhaps it would seem worthwhile.
Re an escape route, no I don't think so. IF some group is manipulating the US market it's the last desperate throw of the dice, all or nothing. Their hope would be that the US economy gained sufficient traction that it would catch up with the maket and they could step back. If that doesn't happen the consequences would be far greater than if they'd let the market take its course.
