Part of being a true conservative is believing in pulling your own weight. Money is tight for a lot of people and probably for many thousands of FReepers (there are over 300,000 registered users.)
Running a 24/7 site online is expensive (check it out for yourself), Free Republic does not accept advertising and Jim and staff have a right to earn a living, too. That’s capitalism. Paying what you can supports capitalism and the private enterprise Free Republic before the govt regulates FR out of business and you are stuck with all the “free” govt run media you can stand.
Also, Jim often posts a brief financial summary that tells where all the money goes. It was this openness about the finances that made me decide to put part of my SSDI towards the Free Republic. I’m sure an Admin Moderator can post the financial summary here.
These are just a few reasons. There are more. But paying your own way in the world, to the best of your ability, is always the best and most conservative way to go IMO. :0)
I already posted a link to the budget at #13
Done, thanks!