I personally think its about time some of these essential air service routes were put under the microscope. I remember flying to a small airport where we were the only air carrier that served it. 8 TSA employees, 6 ground crew and the local government had to provide fire and rescue on the airport to meet the regulations.
Most flights had 3 or 4 passengers, sometimes none all day. Add all of this up then the operating cost of the aircraft itself and you have one hell of a government subsidy.

Sure it creates jobs but it phony economics.