What I'm arguing is that being able to tell the Saudis to kiss off means we won't ever have a reason to invade them.

Realize I'm using "the Saudis" as a proxy here. But further:

Can you imagine a scenario in which the following things are true:

a) we buy, say, 40% less oil overall

b) we have the same tensions with SA and Iran as we do now

c) SA and Iran are as rich as they are now (translate: capable of financing terror groups to fight proxy wars) ?

I can't.