Wilsons Sandbox

In a message dated 5/12/00 1:14:25 PM Canada Central Standard Time, DSN_klr650@egroups.com writes: > I am sorry folks, but I have to get on my soap box here, concerning the AMA. I have been an AMA member for over ten years. I am not always happy with their stance on something, and sometimes I think other items should be more important. But one thing I am sure of....the AMA has done billions times more good than it has done bad. Perhaps you don't agree with their stance on helmet laws. Personally, I do. Even though I will never ride without one, a Bell saved my life once, I definitely do not think that it is the governments place to tell me, an adult, that I have to wear one. Besides, all helmet laws have done is increase the price of helmets, reduce your personal freedom of choice, and increase the coffers of local and state law enforcement. Rider education is far more valuable than helmet laws, but few states actually fund it and support it, because it costs money. But that is not the real issue. The real issue is that the AMA is only one organization that is trying to protect the rights and values of more than 458,000 members and hundreds of thousands more nonmembers. This effort by itself dictates that it can never satisfy all its people all of the time. They have councils and committees that try to determine what are the biggest threats and how to address them. If a person is unhappy with the direction of the AMA they should tell their representatives how they feel. If there aren't enough people that feel the way you do, then maybe you should try to drum up support for your particular position. The point is no one is perfect, neither are organizations. However, I'd rather live with an imperfect AMA than no AMA at all. I urge all motorcycle riders of all styles to become card carrying members of the AMA and make yourself heard. It's only $30.00 a year. Can anyone get the kind of support the AMA provides anywhere else for such a cheap price? I think not. I'm an AMA member and proud of it. Now I'll get off my box, for now. Jim Sherlock, AMA #585601