ESTA to start charging

You haven’t got long left to avoid being charged for the compulsory ESTA (electronic system for travel authorisation)  From the 9th September this year people travelling to the US will have to pay $14 to obtain their ESTA.
The ESTA had become mandatory in January 2010 and replaces the visa waiver forms you used to fill out on the plane.  Once you have your ESTA it lasts 2 years but why should you have to pay for something that is mandatory?  You have to make sure you have purchased your ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight as you may be declined entry into the US.  Someone I know has recently travelled to New York and had forgot all about the ESTA until he was checking in for his flight.  It wouldn’t let him check in without having the authorisation of ESTA.  He was very lucky as he filled out the form online and finally got authorisation a matter of hours before his flight.  Not everyone will be as lucky as it does state at least 72 hours before travel.  Do you think that there should be a charge for this?  Although a small charge it is still a money making scheme.