Usually magazines make there money from advertising not subscriptions. That also means the magazines may be serving the interests of the advertisers. I would imagine the cost of Model Aviation is not much if any of the dues and it might cost more for the option of not receiving the magazine. At least members can get one mag for "free" with some very good articles and possible helpful ads.
I wish the AMA could be more active in helping us get and keep flying fields. We just lost our field and I have no idea how long it will be before we can find a place again. I think we really need to be able to purchase land to fly but our club doesn't have that kind of money. Now I drive 47 miles one way to fly.