Still, I can validate your point to a degree -- MSFT is throwing money around to fund .NET user groups through INETA. Clearly this is top-down management, the opposite of what one thinks a community should be. This is unlike the VFP user groups, which have formed from the bottom up and are true "communities".
EXCELLENT point, you can't go out and build a community as strong as the VFP community.
No matter how much money you throw at it.