I like the idea that parts of the ‘should’ be free and open, but I’m curious how the people who work on these things would have time to do so if not paid.

Are you suggesting that they should be paid by the government - I.e. out of taxes?

Or are you simply saying if it’s part of the web, people should work on it for free - basically like open source? Even in this case, I don’t see where the money for infrastructure and power comes from.

Maybe I’m missing another alternative.