Whatever equation you introduce money into, you need to expect a large percent of the people to behave in a way, which they perceive is going to result in them getting some of it.

New users see their votes practically don't amount to anything, both in monetary value as well as in the power to push content to more visible and permanent positions in "Hot" and "Trending" channels, which is one and the same thing.

What users with substantial power need to understand as well is that there are people on Steemit that live on unimaginable incomes for a Westerner.

So your 2$-3$ per like might not just be an investment into the future of Steemit as a platform which hosts good content or a compliment to a good author. No, someone like you has the potential to fundamentally improve an individual's life, without having to spend a dime.

It might be a challenge to identify a user like that of course. Would be nice to see a reputable NGO enter Steemit and set up a program for some properly disadvantaged people around the world to become content creators.