Agreed, that they don't just "give these things away." But wouldn't you
agree, that once you get your ticket, it is very possible to not stay
current or proficient if you don't practice regularly? Would you agree
that there are some pilots out there who got their PPL long ago, and now
fly so infrequently as to be a danger to themselves, their passengers, or
those below?

Personally, I think a VFR ticket only s/b eliminated. All pilots should
have to be able to fly IFR. That would eliminate hundreds of mishaps per
year. Nothings perfect of course, but these learn to fly in a month
schools are insane, IMHO.

BTW, the reason I stopped training after about 15 hours was not that I
couldn't ultimately get the ticket. I realized that it would take
constant dedication, and lots of time, to stay safe as a PPL. Too many
other pulls on my time, and too many other interests. So I pulled the
plug. I still think it was the right thing to do.

Ironically, now that I am about to semi-retire, I may actually pick it up
again. But I would certainly want to buy a fairly new plane. And I would
expect to pay my user fees for the "right" to fly.