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In other words is the test related to the actual needs to operate the equipment as it exists today? Why have a test at all? Is the test designed to be deliberately difficult as a means of apportioning out a limited number of band spots? if so, is that the way the government should do it? Should it be by lottery? Should it be auctioned? Should be granted only according to a public service? Should be withheld from conservatives?

To answer some of your questions, although I am not the guy you posted it too!:) The test are on digital electronics, the code requirements have been reduced for most grades and eliminated on others. The reason you must pass tests is because hams are supposed to be able to work on their own equipment and therefore must be able to keep interference down on the bands and not splatter across the bands and to avoid being on the wrong bands. This is an amateur license and thus is not subject to, and never should be, drawing by lottery, depending on service needs or any other idiotic reason, politics certainly don't enter into it. Your last question was especially on the stupid side, unless of course you were being sarcastic.