IronZ

I am not sure how to put this politely, so, I won't bother. This increase was done two years ago. The numbers and the debate are evidenced in threads done at the time. The truth is that only a precentage of the dues increase, at the time, was slated for inurance increases. A fact known before the increase was passed. The only surprise was that it was a $10 increase and not a $7 increase. The rest of the increase, above the insurance increases, at the time, was to fund projects that had been delayed and to forstall another dues increase. During the ensuing two years, the insurance costs have continued to increase. Claims have continued to increase as well. The increase of costs is eating into the reserves created by the larger than necessary dues increase.

If you want an argument about whether it should have been done that way, you won't find one with me. However, the facts are out there and can be verified. There was not any sneaking around about what was done. I am not going to get into Horrace's views of accounting. my feelings on them are already documented in this forum.

Again, if you want an argument about whether we should spend money on the National Flying Site, your going to have to look to someone other than me. I can, however, tell you that there are those, including Horrace and many others that think the FFS should be improved and more money should be spent to foster competition and advance aeromodeling.

If you take the time to read the by-laws, you will find that those that hold that position can make a pretty good case. The AMA was not designed to be exclusively, or even primarily, an insurance provider. One last time, if you want an argument that it is, in fact the reason that the AMA has grown, I won't fight with you.

What the AMA is supposed to be, according to the goals set forth in the by-laws takes money, and your dues, and mine, will continue to be spent to pursue those goals.