Thanks Tony for the EU perspective... I belive AUS and NZ are the same way.

The key word you use is MEMBERSHIP.... not CUSTOMER.

In America, we have that independent streak... so membeship is not mandatory.

As soon as you view the arrangement as a customer buying a service... the entire infrastructue will fall apart.
Volunteers are not working for you...

The thread keeps enumerating services that "customers" demand.. ... Ollie wants a funded olympic development team, Dave wants legal support for beach access, Pete wants community sailing centers for his membership fee, John wants an Alter cup championship with provided boats, Dave wants no US Sailing interference.

There is nothing wrong with these wants... it is just not the basis for joining the club.
If you share the overall goal of the organization of supporting sailing or believe that a young sailor will be inspired by competing in the Olympics then you should join US Sailing (paraphrasing Gary Jobson)