Brokers - does WYSIWYG exist?

Hi,

I am researching learning venues including this site and Baby pips concurrently. I am very excited to soon start demo trading. I have been trying to do some research about brokers. Everything (and I mean everything) I am reading is scaring the heck out of me. I read that even some of the larger brokers wait until your account gets sufficiently large ($20000USD+) and start widening the spreads tremendously on your exits or have very very large slippage to make sure you loose. Some have been accused of placing phantom trades and draining peoples accounts or quickly manipulating the market so that it touches your stop loss. Also some are closing accounts for placing short duration trades that may not even meet the classic definition of scalping. Most of the best funded brokers dont have many rave reviews. I am hoping these bad reviews are from people that traded emotionally stupid and did not have a plan - thus losing money and wanting to vent somewhere. I just wanted to get some up to date opinions on which brokerage house is best of the best. Brand new to the game....

Thanks,

Jeff USA

To avoid all such shenanigans use a direct access broker, i.e. one who facilitates the placement of bids and offers directly into "the market" (such as GLOBEX)and consequently have no interest in the outcome of your trades; and avoid brokers who act as counter-party to your trades.