Perhaps if Verisign is unable to operate efficiently enough to fund ICANN adequately, ICANN can bid out .com management in a manner than explicitly funds a $20m initiative? Or simply fund-raise, like other non-profits?

Considering there are large internet infrastructures companies (CloudFront is an example) that are able to offer DNS services at-cost, I can see no legitimate justification for a price increase. The $20m kickback, a fraction of what Verisign stands to make, is reprehensible.