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Msaint: "Yes money does talk but it must be kept in mind that money has to come out of the memberships pockets. NRA has a estimated membership of 3.6 million. When the AMA gets near half that then I would say a lobbyist would be a nice thing. $90,000 is tip money when it comes to lobbying lawmakers."
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Yes it is, no argument there. My figures were simply multiples applied to the number 180,000 someone used for AMA membership. No science applied.

However, OTOH, don't forget that it only took $10,000 to get the new frequencies released back in late '81. I was very surprised at what $8000.00 bought me in a particular situation back around 1980. None involved could have collected more than $1000.00 ea. Yet if one is in a position to get that $1000 several times a day, five days a week, all untaxed, it's not long before one can upgrade one's standard of living quite substantially.
In addition, the money goes to purchase something wanted. Whatever you want, you buy or pay money for it. If you get what you want, what is the difference in how when or what such money is conveyed. If AMA uses member dues to get what AMA members REALLY need (the members, not just the bureaucracy) then, IMO, that is what AMA dues are for.