You are right that I am, at least in part, alluding to those people who make collecting trips and sell for gas money. I make collecting trips but I don't sell anything I catch. I am one of those people who just collect very specific things. There are even some graybands I would let go, although that's rare.

I agree with you that bussinesses do have a louder voice but hobbyists have a strong voice as well. Hobbyists are ultimately where the money comes from that keeps bussinesses afloat. When hobbyists join together they have a very strong voice. We have been known to clog phone lines and swamp them with letters and that makes a very strong statement.

Another thing is most hobbyists cannot be a bussiness because they live in areas zoned residential. This is not easy to change as most people cannot afford to move into a mixed residential commercial zone or otherwise postition themselves to qualify for a bussiness permit. So alot of people don't have much choice.

All you can really expect is for people to get involved and do what they can. If they are a bussiness then sure, they should act as one. But if they really are not a bussiness they can still get involved by joining USARK, participating in surveys, writing letters, signing petitions, etc.
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