Lefty wrote:
"How many realize the ARRL is a business?"

Of course it is, and it is operated by and for its small group of
insiders. As the only significant representative of licensed amateurs,
ARRL is a monopoly which enjoys the benefits of its status.

Someone must have shown the insiders that deregulation would increase
the ranks of amateurs and potential revenues to the ARRL. Now, ARRL is
ready to lobby for deregulation. The FCC has been on its path to
consolidation, simplification, and deregulation for many years. The FCC
should be encouraged to accelerate deregulation. It allows more citizans
better use of a valuable public resource. The public owns the radio
spectrum. Only enough regulation to assure interference is held to
acceptable levels and that common carriers as natural monopolies don`t
abuse the public is desirable.

Washington,D.C. needs an Elliot Spitzer who would successfully
investigate government agencies and the interest groups who lobby them.
Daylight on the deals between the D.C. players might lead to needed
reforms.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI