[Reeka]

I know that I am arriving at this discussion rather late. I have not been on line really for the past week. So if this is all old and irrelevant, I apologize.

I rarely weigh in on issues such as these, but I feel I can no longer remain silent about something that really bothers me and has for some time whenever the issue of money is brought up here. And this issue has nothing to do with how Z should go about raising money for IW.

I was reading this thread, and couldn't help but notice that there are a few people who have stated vociferously that they are against any kind of class system based on the ability to pay here at IW. This is all well and good, especially when they raise the points about the kids and poor people here feeling bad about their inability to pay when confronted with a visible sign of somebody else's donation. Then, however, the very same person arguing against a class system will then add "I have sent a donation," seemingly without realizing by coming on to a thread where money is discussed, as in the server donation thread and this one, they are doing the very thing they are arguing against. How many kids or less well off members here have read all of the comments stating proudly, "I have donated money to Ironworks" and have felt worthless or unworthy because they could not donate and tell everyone about it on a public thread.

We already have a class system here, only it is not composed of banners, sigs, or avatars, instead it consists of people being unable to join in the chorus of shouts that springs up in all of these money threads where some will gleefully proclaim words to the effect, "I have nothing against people who cannot donate but I have donated." It seems to me, that if people truly believed that money should not be an issue here they would show this by not being compelled to tell everyone about their donations on a very important thread that is bound to get alot of views from people who cannot pay. Stating, "I have given money to Dan," is just as much a sign to people as an avatar would be. It says, "I don't care about the feelings of the people here who can't afford to pay. I have paid and I want people to see that I have paid. And if that upsets the poorer members who cannot make a similar statement, due to financial hardship, then so be it. At least everyone will be able to see that I can afford to donate."

I am sorry to say this, but I think that it is extremely vulgar to come on to important threads and make people feel inadequate by detailing your donations which makes them feel worthless for not being able to match them.

As I said, I usually do not get this explicit in my views on most things, but this has bothered me for a long time. I guess this time, I had just had it. If anyone is mad at me for this, so be it.