LeadSled, I agree that AOPA achieved a lot in the mid to late 1990's as your examples certainly prove. That's why I became a member, then.
My criticism is that during recent years, AOPA has achieved IMHO, SFA for their membership. (That's as far as the CASA regulatory reform process is involved.)
I remain unconvinced that Ben's Wagga talkfest will change that anytime soon.