Not just to "The Toolman" but to all; No matter how you wish, want, feel or whatever you do to crumble the cookie, those people that own land and raise, deal, and show, race, or whatever with horses and buy, sell, trade and/or have as a hobby, sport, trade, and/or business associated with the equestrian breeding, profession, or sport generally take their endeavors very seriously and they generally have a serious amount of money invested therein with a willingness to invest much more.
These people do not worry about $50 club dues, discounts at a local shop, and $58 AMA dues. I have a son-in-law that owns a company that serves a market for these people nationwide and several international markets, plus sets up shows throughout the Eastern and Southeastern half of the US These people have the $$$$ They are like a woman going to a party. They need a new set of jumps for each show like a woman needs a new dress. His factory runs almost 7/24.

These people pay serious taxes to local political groups that fund local parks, etc. They are very powerful when election times come. These things get the attention of local politicians. All your emotional rants don't buy anyone anything.

Model airplane fliers are still recognized as simply big boys with big noisy toys. You sit at your small groups and stay away from "AMA Politics". You don't demand a strong AMA therefore AMA has never stood up and fought for your national recognition as real Sportsmen engaged in a most worthwhile and educational recreational sport/hobby. Each time a great flying facility goes under, just YOU look in the mirror, smile and say, "I HELPED"

Money and Power will win the battles. However with taking an interest in AMA, by nominating new candidates to the elective positions now open for nomination, knowing your AMA District Vice Presidents, not by what they say, but by their voting record, and WHAT THEY DON'T SAY!!! Read page the May MA pg. 167. Get on that ballot if you're in District I, V, IX, or nominate someone that will. If you know someone that is eligible for President, nominate him. I am. I have been nominated. I need many more to get on the ballot. Only 3 allowed. Many are in line. I'm probably the only one not crowned a "good ol' boy".
My primary objective is just what I said above: NATIONAL recognition of model aviation and I have several plans of how to do it with very minimal expense and NO paid advertising.

With national recognition, I think AMA can then supply leverage for local Clubs against the politicians at the local levels for flying facilities. Right now it's about all the hope modelers have to obtain and/or keep facilities in the really urban areas.