I wholeheartedly oppose the idea of extending the contract to operate .org but letting PIR set whatever prices it wants.

A significant obstruction to public access and use of the web, your proposed move would dramatically obstruct the ability of non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs and others to do their business. That includes me: I am an entrepreneurial journalist and fear that, under the scenario you propose, I would be hard-pressed to market my work and make a living.