The tug of war is not the answer. Look at the Where to Buy Page. It is simply the right thing to do. The Laser is what it is because of the association, the racing and the dealer network. When the Laser association goes away, Lasers will join the Copperhead, OK Dinghy, Butterfly, Banshee, Dagger, Suicide, US 1, Force Five, and all those other boats whose resale value is so low.
Nobody wants an orphan.
Nobody wants a one design sailboat that nobody races. You are only one person contributing, but, it is like school taxes and voting and contributing to your favorite charities and organizations . If you want things to go your way you toss a little money in the piles where the folks are on your side. If you have a Laser we are on your side. You know you want an experienced Laser sailor on your foredeck.