The point should be that the MEP that appear to have the poorer safety record were poorly flown. Just because pilots were not able to keep the aircraft flying is not a reason for making the public have to put up with SET IFR . Pehaps a much more strict operating enviroment in the USA would lead to better safety rather than a poorly regulated area of public transport that leads to people to conclude that 1 is better than 2. The same is true in the case of pilots.
And why differentiate freight? The aircraft still cause as much damage on the ground whether they be packages or SLF.
And I do hope you are not making the assumption that I have not done the research.