RE: STUPID QUESTION ON AMA AND WHY WE NEED IT TO FLY?
Somewhere along the way, you have developed the wrong impression. AMA membership is not required to be involved with aero modeling. AMA membership is required if you want to fly at an AMA chartered club site, or at an AMA sanctioned event (generally fun-flys or competitive competitions). If you have some place to fly, there is nothing holding you back from doing so, other than any legal prohibitions.
Initally, the AMA was an organization to advance model aviation.