... and added promo comments for it in David's essay for both Reddit Groups. Thanks for doing this, Rusty.

Here are the links.

• Kossacks For Sanders - https://www.reddit.com/r/Kossacks_for_Sanders/comments/4xpejj/funding_a_...
• Way of the Bern - https://www.reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/comments/4xpewf/funding_a_peoples_...

Many of us migrated from another site where we were, basically, asked to leave because we were Bernie Sanders supporters. However, many of us were on that other site since it's inception in 2004 or earlier (don't know because I didn't join until 2011, although I lurked from 2008).

I agree, it is not easy to be the newbie in town. Here is a guide for you: http://caucus99percent.com/content/welcome-new-members-0. It is actually a link located in the upper left hand corner of any page you are on and is titled, "Welcome, New Members."

I also realize how hard it is to join a new group like this. When I first joined the other site (referred to as TOP), I felt much like you have written here. All the acronyms made me feel left out. Many of the people at TOP would just laugh at me when I asked what they meant, but many more were kind and generous with explanations. I want to say that I feel we are a friendly community and will help you if you just ask. We don't bite unless you ask us to vote for hrc - who the majority do not support (myself included).

The essay by Dallas Doc wrote Saturday did, in fact, say that we need to raise a recurring $4,000/month to make this site work without ads, and with JtC and joe shikspak (site owners) staying on and maintaining the site. Since many here are living on poverty wages, while others can afford much more, we feel people will donate, on a monthly basis, what they can afford. Me, for example, I've been in financial hell for almost two years. Lucky for me, that financial hell is going to get some relief in September, so I'll be able to afford $10/month and will think about upping it in 2017, if my financial hell gets more relief. So, you see, people really ARE contributing according to their own budget.

I hope this answered some of your questions. I'm sure others will chime in. If you feel we are off-putting, there is really nothing we can do but offer our open door to you and stand back while you decide whether or not you wish to enter. We'd be happy to have you.

many members do go way back and have associations and online friendships existing for years. Thank you for reminding the community that this could be disconcerting to new members.
I can assure you you of this: some of the best and articulate people I've had the pleasure of knowing and sharing space with in life contribute here, particularly the founders; so in that good spirit, please continue to comment and share as I hope, in time, you will discover the magic of this forum.

Thank you for sharing and again, a hearty welcome.

about how many here know each other since a long time (either online friends or may be even in real space), mostly probably through the dailykos site, which exists since 2003. They all were engaged in the other place, TOP and i think many felt they got their thoughts and free speech a little bit too much muzzled and got condescending treatments over there. For some that may have happened a very, very long time ago and was never forgotten, for, some for just a little less long time ago, for others just during the last two years or even less. The history is a long one, often around 10 years and more. Everyone has its own story.

Though I lurked and commented for a long time on dailykos, I don't know any of the long-time brothers here and don't remember why and when they got frustrated and/or appalled of the other site. Everyone may have another reason for having been unhappy over there and wanting to leave.

The other site started to treat them in ways that hurt them and that site started to not reflect their own ideological persuasions any longer. All of it became seriously bad during the last seven months so those friends started to think to build their own place, which you see here.

The one very, very amazing thing about this place is that it allows to speak your mind freely, allows more diverse opinions and still tries to be very civil, even very friendly, humane, like you would find in a functional family .. like getting into siblings fights, parents pulling their hair out over those kiddos, but nobody forgets that we need a home and a family at the end and we think we know when to stop fighting to remain friends.

I would say to achieve that for a longer period of time on a blog is one of the most impossible tasks you can engage in and if it works, it's a little miracle and we should be thankful to anyone, who helps to make this place a family home.

I am a longtime "outsider", don't understand most of the acronyms til today and really didn't know anyone either, have not been involved in building this place, stumbled into it the way I stumbled into dailykos in 2004. But I always felt that everyone was extremely helpful and understanding, often really deeply engaged in making me feel welcome, help through some depression moments despite my "otherness" and not being a "sister".
So, not being family means nothing to the people here. They are inviting you always to eat with them at their dinner/kitchen table and you will love their "food" once you eat them. It's tasty... Try it ... and be welcomed ... and Bon Appetit.