I agree with you that @timsaid did a lot for the Steemit community and I also would not call it 'cheating' what happened here, but in a really fair competition people should vote for what they like and don't vote because they expect to get paid. I really wonder why so many people let manipulate (this word may be too strong) themselves for just 4 dollar? Corruptible so easily?!
The result looks like a former GDR (German Democratic Republic) election. :)