ICANN executives should be ashamed of themselves. The Robber barons of the late 19th century are back in a different form, sneaking money from our pockets over time. There is a wrong way and a right way to do things. Organizations must be open to scrutiny, especially when they control how and where we conduct commerce. This form of highway robbery must not be allowed. Small unwarranted "toll" increases add up over time.

The term robber baron derives from the Raubritter (robber knights), the medieval German lords who charged nominally illegal tolls (unauthorized by the Holy Roman Emperor) on the primitive roads crossing their lands[1] or larger tolls along the Rhine river.

The metaphor appeared as early as February 9, 1859, when The New York Times used it to characterize the business practices of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Historian T.J. Stiles says the metaphor "conjures up visions of titanic monopolists who crushed competitors, rigged markets, and corrupted government. In their greed and power, legend has it, they held sway over a helpless democracy."[2]

Wikipedia 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industrialist)

Regards,

Rich