hypercrites

Well, let's be fair!  In my case, Commonwealth Edison [a division of Exelon] and Peoples Gas come immediately to mind.

Actually, I don't believe they are forcing you into buying electricity or gas, it would be tough but you could do without.  The Unibomber did.  And lets not forget that they are a quasi-government corporation in that they are tightly controlled by your local government and your local government forbids other businesses from moving into their market.  They are a government approved monopoly.

The government has it's hands all over Commonwealth Edison therefore it's not a good example.