I would agree in most cases however I saw UBSS sit on the ask for over two and a half hours yesterday selling millions of shares. And for one of those hours there was literally 1 sell in that whole hour. It was the first time I've ever seen a MM sit on the ask for that long selling that many shares. It was pretty ridiculous.
I will have to partially disagree with you Cent. The makers do at times manipulate the trades to create a false appearance of weakness/strength. It has happened to me numerous times. I have had buy orders at the ask and they end up filling them on the bid, then they drop the bid/ask. That tactic creates the appearance of weakness and can induce further selling.
It generally only happens to me on Pinks and OTCBB.