The main point is the government deregulated the airlines a long time ago. Now from a safety standpoint they still have the responsibility to regulate airlines via the FAA and DOT, however, when it comes to inflight service (seating, food, amenities, etc), the government has no business telling airlines how to run. Either re-regulate the industry, or leave them alone and let them run their own services the way they desire. You can't just pick something and say 35" should be a law because a politician said so.