No, I'm pretty comfortable calling this ethically repugnant and tantamount to extortion. Law does not make right.

You are absolutely correct, but "ethically repugnant and tantamount to extortion" are not crimes. Congress needs to change the laws so these behaviors are illegal.

Unfortunately, most legislators from my state seem to believe in business by extortion. I'm so frustrated with them I've given up even communicating with them. Does Hatch ring a bell? :(

One could find it ironic that such a morally conservative state produces such exploitative business and political practices.