It's absurd! USAT is one of the fastest-growing NGBs of all sports under the USOC and IOC. IM has always been greedy; no change there. (I worked for IMH for many years marshaling the bike course - they use you up, literally). This has nothing to do with the NGB; it's strictly owners of the Ironman Franchise. As long as people will pay, fees will rise. As long as people have that 'lifelong dream' of completing/competing an ironman, with plenty of discretionary income, fees will rise.
Dan Empfield (Slowtwitch) built, designed, and sponsored, my retro QR (now new with full SRAM carbon) and is now in the business of politics; he knows his stuff, and Slowtwitch is his baby; he's well versed in all things Triathlon! His opinions are valid, for the most part. But politics are a tricky game; diplomacy rules, so you get what you pay for with a politician. BTW, I adore Dan!