OK then I have the solution that should please everyone. If you want to use elite security lines you pay a government tax of let's say $100-200 a year (and do not pay the $2.50 per flight tax). Therefore any schmuck can do it and there will be no more complaining. The leisure traveller will never go for it, while the elite traveller will be only to pleased to do so.

Anyone who believes that just because the US government runs something that it should be "even" access for all has NO idea how the government truly works. A few examples.....

You have a small company, let's say in the Agricultural field that wants to do business abroad. Besides some literature and advice, you will get very little help from the US government...... Good luck in even being able to have a timely meeting with an embassy official in a foreign country.

If you book more than $1 mil in exports last year....... The government will cover half your sales expenses, the government will finance/guarantee your exports, the government will even help you set up a foreign trade company as a subsidy to avoid taxes and the embassies will kiss your ....

another example.....

If you want a passport, it can take weeks, If you pay an expedite fee you can have it as fast as the same day (depending on location and circumstance).

Some animals ARE ALWAYS more equal than others.

Again if I pay $250 a year as opposed to $2.50 and will lose 100 hours a year rather than 1 hour I both demand and expect faster service.

Oh, and one other thing, rarely mentioned. As an elite pre 9/11 I quite often was able to cut lines (often an airline official bringing me to the front) No one even thought to complain back then.