I can appreciate that those who bought many thousands of Steem when it was $2 are desperate to make their money back. I am lucky to have earned most of mine. Steem is intended to be a long-term investment if you want to have influence here. I am supporting those who are willing to power up. Things like vote buying just centralise the power even more whilst making posts trend that would not get there with 'proof of brain'.

It's an imperfect system and we need to find ways to make it work. It just is not growing and may be losing users overall. Those with the power are the ones who can change that.

Just my opinion :)