Here are a few counter proposals:
- Close the parks completely, converting them to wilderness areas.
- Reduce welfare program funding, transferring the money to the NPS.
- Leave the parks open, but close unsafe infrastructure (lodges, bridges, roads, trails, etc.).
- Reduce NPS Ranger staffing, turning the parks into lawless areas. Use the savings for infrastructure repairs.
- Wait until a bridge falls down or erosion eats away pavement before closing roads. Wait until the roof leaks before closing the lodge. Wait until all the wildlife are gone & flowers trampled by overcrowding before taking action.
{/sarcasm}

Don't blame the current administration for raising fees. Blame Congress for failing to adequately fund this deferred maintenance. Give Interior credit for trying to address the problem(s). Fees are w/in Interior's control; tax revenue from the general funds are not.

(Is there a CCC/WPA opportunity here? That would get the poor, inner city youth into the parks.)