Is Free Republic a Fraud? Is it time for Free Republic to go away?

Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

[spartan68]

Jim
For most of us FR has become our online home, our family, our friends.
To shut FR down is just not an option. FR is far to important to each and every one of us, and will only become more important in the days, months, years to come.
Those who don't like it here at FR, well, maybe it is time for them to pack thier $hit and head'er on down the road. Either voluntarily or by your banning. Afterall it is YOUR house.
If its funding help you need to keep FR going, I'am sure the FR Family will make sure the FRfamily checkbook never ever sees any red ink.

[Syncro]

Too busy to post to this thread rite now , but I am with you Jim all the way.

Lemme know if there is anything above and beyond I could do to help.

You know where to find me.

[BigBlueJon]

Jim, keep it going. There's no other place like this. Thanks for the reminder. Ya' don't know what you've got till it's gone. I'll do my part to make sure that this place of refuge stays. Keep it rollin'!

[hocndoc]

Larry and I gave a large portion of our tax rebates to FR I figure the rebate was a return on earlier donations to FR.

So, no, FR is not a fraud and *can't* go away.

[gjenkins]

"FreeRepublic...We Have Assumed Control...We Are In Control."

Enough with the 2112 already!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Yes, anyone not interested in these things CAN ignore them.

If you don't like the culture threads, exclude them by selections on your preferences page.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

What a silly thing to say. I can't imagine where, on the rankings of the Most Stupid Things To Do list, charging a monthly fee would end up, maybe between lighting oneself on fire trying to burn the American flag or insulting the pedigree of a Navy Seal - while he's conscious. This site thrives because it is open and easily accessible. The NYTimes.com charges for usage, and who goes to that site? Nobody.

I can think of myself and probably 10,000 other users who wouldn't be here today if you had to pay to use this site, and even if you charge to post and keep lurking free, think classmates.com for the probability of success there. Freerepublic has gained alot of fame, mentioned often on Brian Wilson's show, among others. What good would that do if one had to pay before using the site?

This site can raise all the money it needs with quarterly fundraising, without a single ad. Who else can say that?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Well aren't you just the sweetest thing, you've made me blush.

[Let's Roll]

Jim, Please don't be discouraged by these detractors - some of whom are professional, socialist agitators. You know how many registered and apparently satisfied users you have and you know about how many complainers there are - and although loud and "squeaky" they are miniscule compared to those who support you and the concept of FR. Thanks for all you do.

[Don Joe]

OTOH, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox as he treadeth out the grain" hasn't been revoked. (Nor do soldiers have to pay their own way in battle.)

[SmithW]

Setting the bait, Jim?

[anniegetyourgun]

#292 - oh, really?

[DrLiberty]

Dear Jim,

Now more than ever, we need this wonderful forum you have created and others have contributed to over the years. I can't imagine life without Free Republic, as the Republic is becoming less free every minute now.

I will contribute what I can (and continue to) as soon as I am able. Keep on Truckin'!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

URGENT MUST READ THREAD PING
Let Jim Robinson know how YOU feel.

Mega Pingers alert ALL your ping lists.

"Like I said above, if it is time for Free Republic to go away so be it. Those who want to keep it going speak up. Those who want it to go away, tell us why. But if those who want it to be gone lose out in the debate, then I'd say they should just go away themselves, or, in the very least, shut up and quit whining about it."
Thanks,
Jim Robinson

Free Republic is funded solely by donations from readers.
Donations and official correspondence should be mailed to:
Free Republic, LLC, PO Box 9771, Fresno, CA 93794
(donations are NOT tax deductible).
Support Free Republic by secure credit card.

[Don Joe]

"I am an avid believer that if not for this very site, we would not have our great president in office that we do."

The "other side" is acutely aware of that fact IMO, and I suspect that's one reason they are so vehemently opposed to FR.

[MississippiMan]

I think going to some sort of subscription-based service would be the most feasible option by a long shot. I'd pay a reasonable fee and believe that thousands of others would, as well. It would also go a long way toward cleaning up any perceptions of impropriety. Do I think you're ripping people off? No. BUT, any organization that solicits in excess of a quarter-million dollars per year in donations, and does not make the financials public--regardless of the validity of the reasons for not doing so--is putting itself in a very precarious position. Suspicions will arise and the money is significant enough that an enemy might be able to cause you serious grief someday. Overall, I think this is a great forum and I'd seriously hate to see it go away. MM

[SharonLorraine]

I am new to FreeRepublic but not new to conservatism. I love this site. I think you are doing a great job as it continues to grow.

If I were in your shoes and I started this website and it had grown to what it is today, I would feel completely justified to make my living from it. And if I had to pay others to keep it growing and profitable I would do so.

As far as a subscriber price goes, if $24.00 per year is enough for you, I think that would be a good price to start at and if anyone wanted to donate above that then they could do so. I think a free 3 month introductory period would be good for people like me that are new and more than likely wouldn't pay for something if they didn't know what is was exactly.

Thanks for this site!

[TLBSHOW]

Those that feel there should be a monthly fee can always sign up for a monthy donation. Six of one half dozen of another.

BIG BUMP

If everyone gave just 20.00 a month. You get the point. Come on everyone lets show the anti-fr girly boys why they are out numbered and out foxed. Their site is a hate site plain and simple. The Harry and Arator and tekman spew featuring bigNut! Attack the attack dogs. LOLROF

RadioFR DEC 6TH with Jeff Head interview and call in.
TLBSHOW

[patriciaruth]

I agree that the way to clear out the parasites is to charge a small monthly fee, and if Jim Rob wants to give a bunch of poor FReepers a personal pass, that is his business.
But the problem is that it would create its own billing nightmare of financial problems. Maybe we could learn how Blockbuster does it. They take multiple small payments and still make a profit.

BUT, MOSTLY, Jim, I THINK YOU ARE JUST TIRED AND NEED A VACATION.

HMMMMMMM....maybe THE SOLUTION is to shut FR down a couple days a week and a couple weeks a year. TAKE DAYS OFF, Jim! And then people would wake up to how much they love and need this site, and the contribution problem would be solved.

[Chapita]

***************"Eschoir is suing his parents for not practicing proper birth control."************************************************

He remains a wasted orgasm!