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Yes, but it is offset from the larger rewards for content and therefore for those who upvote.

Right now, new users don't get any curation reward as they don't have enough steem power. They can vote all day and still they will get nothing. They can be the first voter with all the whales coming in after, and they still get nothing (as the curation reward is split based upon the power of the upvoters).

So the only way to earn is to contribute content (blogs or replys) which can earn $. At least in the model I propose, minnows will actually get a little curation reward and will earn author rewards if anyone upvotes their blogs/reply's.

new users should buy steem... that's why steem exist... you don't make money if steem is not bought and sold.... where do you think steem dollars get the money from??? @mrosenquist

The platform was marketed as a "contribute, and get rewarded" venture.
What you're describing is a "pay to play" system, aka a ponzi scheme.