# A Modest Proposal **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 10, 2001, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612 "2001-11-10T10:01:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/1 "2001-11-10T10:01:41Z")
Equality is a good thing if everyone’s equal, but we all know that the world doesn’t work that way. Paying to post is going to happen, but what we need is a fee structure to reflect this inequality. Should **Eve** and **Slip** pay the same fee for posting? There’s an inequality right there. One is bright, articulate, witty and a joy to read. Okay, so is **Eve.** Bad example. Anyway, let’s make a list. The following are examples and you’re free to add, subtract, disagree, hijack, ignore or start a flame war: **Fenris:** Free. Unlimited. **Hiyruu:** $10 per post. Surcharge for any mention of faster than light and the golden spiral. **Polycarp:** Free. Unlimited. **Feynn:** $20 per year. Confined to hockey topics only. Free if he loses the Habs. **jarbabyj:** $1 per year, unlimited, to be refunded if “twatclamp” and “crumpetnipple” are used in any post. **Ginger:** Free. Unlimited. (She’s a Canadian redhead. That’s got to be worth something right there.) **Bossk:** $250 per year. One post per month. Ten word limit. **SPOOFE:** Free. Unlimited. Exception: Defending Microsoft. Hell, I just realized I’ve got a ton of names here. Let’s leave something for the five or six posters who may be moved to respond to this silliness, Slip. It’s all yours, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Bossk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/2 "2001-11-10T10:15:46Z")
I could swing that. By the way, is posting to alt.fan.cecil-adams really so horrifyingly unthinkable for the have-nots? Though as a second option, we can always bring in Bud Selig for a nominal fee. I’m sure he would find an amicable solution to the parity problem for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/3 "2001-11-10T10:56:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\* > Though as a second option, we can always bring in Bud Selig for a nominal fee. I’m sure he would find an amicable solution to the parity problem for everyone. \*\* Okay, who are you and what have you done with our **Bossk?** That was funny. ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Sota\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Sweet\_Sota\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Sota_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/4 "2001-11-10T18:36:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Slip Mahoney \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > > \*\* > > Though as a second option, we can always bring in Bud Selig for a nominal fee. I’m sure he would find an amicable solution to the parity problem for everyone. \*\* > > Okay, who are you and what have you done with our **Bossk?** > > That was funny. \*\* Ok, I gotta say it. I TOLD YOU SO! ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/5 "2001-11-10T19:45:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\* > > By the way, is posting to alt.fan.cecil-adams really so horrifyingly unthinkable for the have-nots? > > \*\* What the fuck is this “have-nots” shit? Just because someone dooesn’t have the cash for a messageboard doesn’t make them a have-not. And what about the other 75% of people who won’t be paying…the “Want-nots”…I fall into that category. I “want-not” to pay for a fucking messageboard and I stand by my decision. So get off your high-horse and realize that just because someone has different priorities in life other than spending money on the SDMB, doesn’t make them a have-not. Get over yourselves. Sam ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/6 "2001-11-10T20:18:52Z")
This is really dumb and lends itself heavily to the “SDMB is a fucking clique” argument. ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/7 "2001-11-10T21:12:18Z")
Slip with all due respect, fuck this shit! There’s enough divisiveness over this issue without running a popularity contest. ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/8 "2001-11-10T21:12:51Z")
I only did it because I knew it would lend itself heavily to pissing you off, leander. ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/9 "2001-11-10T21:31:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Primaflora \* > \*\*Slip with all due respect, fuck this shit! There’s enough divisiveness over this issue without running a popularity contest. \*\* Either some people will have some fun with this thread, or it will simply sink like a stone. One thing it won’t do is have _any_ effect on anyone’s opinion on the pay to post situation. ---
**Author:** ![SexyPilot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SexyPilot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SexyPilot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/10 "2001-11-10T22:01:35Z")
**Slip Cocksucker** is that YOU!? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/11 "2001-11-10T22:48:55Z")
Key riced! Now they’re coming after me on their third post. Thanks for the greets, SexyPilot. Go fly a kite. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/12 "2001-11-11T01:32:24Z")
Esprix: $3. (think about it.) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/13 "2001-11-11T01:42:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Esprix: $3. > > (think about it.) Would that be the official SDMB gay discount? 🙂 So, how much should I be charged? _He asks innocently_. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/14 "2001-11-11T18:55:03Z")
I highly resent the obviously unfounded notion that I contribute anything worthwhile to the Board, and as such demand that I am charged a huge sum. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/15 "2001-11-11T19:08:27Z")
Likewise, **SPOOFE**. I think **Slip** just wants to see a nekkid snob in her natual habitat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jeu\_D\_esprit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@Jeu\_D\_esprit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeu_D_esprit)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/16 "2001-11-11T19:10:53Z")
Seconded. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/17 "2001-11-11T19:24:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Esprix: $3. > > > > (think about it.) > > Would that be the official SDMB gay discount? 🙂 > > So, how much should I be charged? _He asks innocently_. \*\* You will be charged one (1) football bat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/18 "2001-11-11T19:48:03Z")
And here, I thought this would be a suggestion that the unfunded members simply be eaten by the underfunded members. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/19 "2001-11-12T16:42:40Z")
**Ogre** : Free if he can come through on that whole “Sledgehammer the commandments” bit. Otherwise, free because he’s had to suffer Alabama for so many years. **matt\_mcl** : 69 cents (so really about four dollars American). ::runnin’ away. HOo boy:: ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2001, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal/92612/20 "2001-11-12T16:54:01Z")
Err, 4 dollars Canadian. Thanks to **Captain Amazing** for pointing out my error, though I’m sure **matt** would love that kind of exchange rate:-)