Dave S wrote:

A per-seat capitation? A capitation based on gross weight? or a per-user
fee? While it would cost me more in the pocketbook, I have a hard time
seeing that I am financing my share of services using JUST the avgas
fuel tax.... (and if I go autogas, or deisel.. dont I get a TOTAL free
ride?). Prove that the status quo is fair and equitable.

No. **YOU** do the same thing for driving our cars on the interstate
highway system.

Who pays for establishment of, and maintenance thereof, said highways?
The Feds, of course. Is there some sort of convoluted rate structure
for users, based on their weights, or any other measure? No, there isn't.

It's a universally-accepted burden on the US taxpayer. Is the national
airspace system different? Why?

This isn't an issue of "who gets a *free ride*" There are things the
federal government ought to be doing with our tax dollars for the
greater good.

*YOU* want to pay more taxes for the privilege of flying? Fine with me.
But, this business of "total free ride" doesn't wash. I don't pay
extra for every red light I encounter when I drive, and I see a parallel
with every (free) flight service station pre-flight briefing I get.

These things are bona-fide tax-supported gov'ment responsibilities.
It's the diversion of said tax dollars to support social re-engineering
I vehemently object to.