I know what you mean John but if you implemented this "symbol" for monthly donators, I think you would be pleasantly surprised at just how few "have nots" there will be. Once a Freeper is recognized for his/her monthly donations, be it an asterisk or a color code on the screenname, you will see others rush to become regular donors as well. You guys will never have to have a fundraiser again! Forget what we were saying about a different color for this level and another color for that level. Just give the same symbol whether the person is donating $5 a month or $50 a month. That way we don't have the problem of people "pulling rank" on others (i.e. "I give more to Free Republic than you, blah, blah, blah"). The symbol will simply state that this Freeper is serious enough about Free Republic that he/she sees fit to donate to it monthly. Whether it is $5 or $500 a month is between the donor and Free Republic. Nobody else needs to know.
Sam you are right on target here. The Aerials (sp) would be upset with this. To them I repeat Jim Robinson's remark, "Put a sock in it or move along!"
If we had 5,000 Freepers who care and had that symbol, maybe the minature head of an Eagle. Jim and John could probably retire the quarterly drives. It would as you note, show those who are serious about Free Republic. I doubt if too many disruptors would ever donate!