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This is a good capitalistic solution to a problem that has been plaguing FR for far too long. Given that FR is the number one gathering place for conservatives on the internet, the potential revenue that could be generated from banner ads is probably considerable.

That is an interesting statement. My initial gut reaction is agreement, but then I put on my Thinking Cap (tm).

I may be wrong and also may be projecting. We are the customers at Free Republic. It is about us being warriors and not passive consumers. Jim is up front about his model and if it doesn't work so be it. I think this is Jims test of where we are going and I concur. It is not about capitalism, business model or consumerism, it is about freedom and if we will pay the price, whether it is donations here at FR, learning thru other opinions, laying down our worldly goods and maybe even our lives like our founders did.

Ben Franklin and others, did not advertise but wanted to know if the ideas would sell themselves. It was a big test that we passed back then. Our test is bigger today. There are bigger things than capitalism.

Jim is up front about his model and if it doesn't work so be it. I think this is Jims test of where we are going and I concur.

My friend, FR is far too valuable a resource to adopt such a fatalistic attitude about the existing business model. If it no longer works, then it needs to be upgraded to one that does.

Now, what that is, is up to Jim. Be it far from me to tell him what will work best for his site. That said, I've seen some very good ideas for improvements to the existing business model expressed on this thread today.

Jim has expressed extreme reservations about my particular suggestion, and I fully appreciate them, but there is a definite need for a better solution of some kind. It's my hope that one or more worthy ones will come out of this discussion.