Do you realize how you sound sometimes? You come off pretty closeminded and prejudiced. If only "poor people" ride NICE, then why do you ride NICE? I'm not poor, but I ride NICE because LIRR gives me shitty service and a car isn't feasible, especially going to college in Manhattan as of August.
Anyways..
I think Setzer is correct about the farebox issues. I had a ton of read errors back at the end of 2013, but I haven't got one in a long while, and I've been re-using the metrocards.
You are correct in trying to displace the blame of the county for the most part. I think Mangano doesn't give two s**** about the system, as well as the people who live here. It is typical suburban ignorance, which is why after less than a year in Nassau, amongst other things, I'm moving out within the next year. I'd rather put up with the MTA and its problems only than this sorry excuse for a system. I don't think anything will be done to make this system better without Mangano's help and as you can see, he doesn't care.