Nobody is saying the quality of their membership isn't a factor. Just not to ignore the importance of quantity. Especially when attrition has led to the demise of more families than anything else.

And you can't base your entire view of the Colombo family on one indictment. That's why I have compiled them like I have. Looking at them all in the broader picture gives one a much better idea. After all, should one assume the extent of the Outfits operations are video poker and theft because that's what was in the Sarno indictment?

You talk about "50 bucks a week" but money is money to these guys, big or small. Of course the idea is, and it's often the case, that they have several people paying x amount of money each week. It adds up.

And using basically legit or quasi-legit means (rather than just blatant extortion) is hardly unique to Chicago. There are more examples in NY than anywhere of the mob using their clout to get business for their companies with "everybody winning."