Letters to the Editor
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You've got to be kidding me
scientific researchers want their publications to be read by as many people as possible, given that their promotions are often tied to how many times they're cited. A good deal of the resistance to open access publishing is from the publishers themselves, who charge huge fees for institutional subscriptions. I'd look into who's been lobbying Inhofe from the publishing industry.
First, what researchers want is for their work to be published by a prestigious journal so that people in their field will read and recognize it, and it may even get into the MSM. Prestige is measured by impact factor, which is calculated from citation data. That doesn't mean "promotions are often tied to how many times they're cited." It means that some journals have built up brand recognition, by setting and maintaining high standards, over decades, and the rest are trying to imitate them as best they can.
Second, what's wrong with the people who produce a product charging for it? Hint: Those aren't "fees." They are "subscriptions." And yes, they are large. That's because everyone at an institution---say, all the students at a university---has access to that subscription.
Finally, do you really think the publishing industry has the money to "lobby"? Are you retarded? I'm serious. I'll cut you some slack if you present evidence of mental impairment.
Face it, your hate model doesn't work here. Go play somewhere else.