I don't think this is the best for U.S. distance running.
First thing to note, is I was a "B" standard guy this year, I was ready to run about a 2:17-2:18 that day, got sick about mile 12, blew up. The reason I mention that is before I qualified last year I had an injury stricken college career, just graduated w/ a M.S. degree and was onto a full time job. I hit a qualifier in my 1st race over a 10k. Now a 2:21 isn't good, I know that. But, that stupid little "B" standard exposed me to so much and opened up tons of doors that were closed. I was so out of shape from injuries in college that I could barely break 16 in a 5k, then 2 years later I was in Michigan with the Hansons. I didn't stay for good reasons, but that team and those guys are amazing, I have a ton of respect for the Hansons, and they changed my perspective on this sport.
I still work full time, for the first time I think I am in a situation were I can work and train hard. I personally don't care on the new time being 2:19, as with the competitive nature of this sport, my goal is run faster and improve over the next few years. BUT, none of this would have happened if I didn't get a chance to toe that line on November 3rd. Some of you, or f***ing Glenn Latimer or Jim Estes may not care because a no-talent guy like me won't be running a 2:06 so what does it matter. I don't agree, my close friend has gone from 2:21>2:19 now to 2:15. Right, 2:15 isn't shit, I know, he knows too. But, my friend is still out there chasing a dream and trying to get that 2:15 to a 2:12, and so on, he even has put a USA jersey and represented the country, I would say that's something. Then, when he's done racing, he'll have learned a lot about himself during the journey that most people will never experience. This is like anything in life (jobs, school, etc...), some people need stepping stones along the way to achieve their goals. I don't think only 130 people getting to the starting line over a 2 year window is too much to ask, for a stepping stone.
The other thing I want to mention is between me and a different close friend (also a shitty "B" guy) we had about 35 people between the 2 of us fly into NYC. We're not cool guys, so I'm assuming it was close to this number for other runners. I should ask Ritz or Sell but I would guess the race experience is enhanced by having another 40-50 qualifiers around. Now I'm not saying a guy running 2:20 did anything to change the actual race for those guys up front, but the fanfare, excitement, etc... would have been different, maybe less, with only 50 guys starting the race. For instance, before the marathon trials race my parents had no clue who Ryan Hall was, now they're fans. My Dad and Mom want to come to the track trials, irregardless if I run or not now, just because they witnessed that energy and are finally beginning to see how great of a sport this is.....USATF's decision probably isn't the best for our sport.