Dan, I do understand what you are saying about cutting the air cleaner/air horn ring. However, there is no light visible between the modified air cleaner hole and the air cleaner gasket when installed.
This reminds me of when people say "I run my high beams all the time; I know it's fine because I don't get flashed". The one doesn't follow from the other. Likewise, a clean carburetor is a fine thing, but many kinds of dirt that can get in and brutalize your engine aren't going to make your carb look dirty.