Requests for books simply show that the dichotomies aren't clear enough. So let this be the clarity for anyone who thinks they own a piece of Steemit, Inc. They do not.

They certainly do not show that. Someone engaging in or considering engaging in any sort of collaborative relationship entirely outside of ownership may very well be completely justified in looking for financial transparency. You are entitled to not provide it, but doing so does not encourage such collaboration, which indeed is the reason that private companies are often (though certainly not always) transparent with partners, affiliates, vendors, customers, and other sorts of non-owners about their finances. It is not out of obligation, but in pursuit of opportunity.

That's what the comments about alienation are about. It is certainly not about a CPA and auditor (nor other intelligent and well-informed members of the Steem community making similar inquiries) not understanding the distinction between a company shareholder and non-shareholder. That deflection is frankly insulting.

The Steem community will thrive whether we are here or not

I beg to differ. The 80% ninja-mining entity doing an exit scam either explicitly or implicitly would be a terrible blow, certainly not conducive to 'thriving' and quite possibly fatal. Likewise for simply mismanaging the resources.

People in the community, as collaborators with Steemit in pursuing the success of Steem, have a very legitimate interest in undrestanding whether this is a situation where Steemit is making the best of limited resources in a manner that is likely to be beneficial to both Steemit and Steem, is cutting its spending on Steem development and marketing to the bone in order to pocket more of the money for its own benefit instead, or is just squandering the money foolishly. The best (or perhaps only) way to understand that distinction is to open your books. If you don't, many people will assume the worst, and not unjustifiably so.

What we most certainly don't need is another lecture on the legal and structural distinction between Steem and Steemit. Believe me, we are all most acutely aware of it, and indeed that is a good part of the reason for these requests, rather than being any sort of reason not to make them.