It is a choice that Medium has bestowed on us - so everyone has the right to do it if they want to. Even with the free reading - people can decide if they want to spend $5 a month to read ad infinitum - or not.

Maybe it does benefit the big guns; but then again, have they also not earned that? They've worked hard to establish a following and if they reap more benefits then they deserve it.

I couldn't solicit sales - or membership - from anyone if I tried: in fact it's the main reason I went back nursing as i failed big time as a store clerk. I was too honest and hated harassing people the minute they walked in the door or suggesting extra's to buy!

As I said, my point was that it would be nice to be more discreet about it.

Yes, we are all entitled to an opinion but I offended people and I had to apologize.