I don't think you're really getting it! Who cares if this guy has followers or not? Even doesn't even care! I think you're beating around the bush for some reason. He upvotes his own comment everytime $3-$7. The purpose of these upvotes is not to move to the top of the comments for visibility. It is to "Make Money". This is very harmful to the platform as it takes from the reward pool and lowers the payout for all other users.

The simple fact is, if the system allows him to upvote his own comments then whose going to stop him?

We are! We as users are to stop the abuse on our platform. This is not a situation where you phone the police or contact your MP or whatever other type of sheeple things people do. This is our platform we as stake holders are to direct it's path.

I did was to donate 50 STEEM (when it was valued at 1.60)

:) This was very thoughtful and generous of you.

My statement of following those who gave me big upvotes was to simply say I have followed those who have shown their appreciation for my thoughts by giving me a big upvote.

I'm not fooled easily ;)