The belt is also time dependent on replacement and 6 years is about the limit, maybe even sooner depending on the environmental conditions and whatnot. (extreme heat/cold, any oil or coolant leakage onto the belt, etc.)
If you think timing belt replacements are a scam to generate a boat payment then do a net search about broken timing belts.
Why blame the mechanic for something that he did not design or assemble originally. If you don’t like T-belts and the associated costs then don’t buy a car with one on it. Any displeasure with T-belts, or the engine damage they incur in some cases, should be directed at the people who slapped the badge on the back of the car.