Dave wrote:
And I suppose you also believe they're in the business of providing services
to their members.


Of course. If they didn't, they wouldn't stay in business long.


People don't seem to realize that today's dominant business model is the
media model, and that model applies in spades to associations.

It only applies if you have a twisted pseudo-MacLuhanesque
view of the world.

If you look at it one way, *all* businesses are serving the
function of advertising. Then again, the advertising
business provides a service that people pay for. Which
viewpoint is correct?

People don't seem to realize that today's dominant business
model is to be a conduit for PAC money. This model applies
in spades to the advertising business and can in many cases
be applied to the non-profit business.

Meanwhile, the fact remains that many charities & public
interest groups *are* in fact run by people with the goal of
serving a particular function that gov't & private business
does not. Your cynical point that *some* are darkly twisted
money-grubbers is true but your claim that *all* are is
patently ridiculous.

I'd say "Welcome to the real world, Dave" but I'm not sure
you're here yet.

DSK