When I first came on Steemit I saw the abuses of the system and decided that it was not for me. If I have to cheat to win then I don't want to play. I never thought of this platform as a way to get rich anyway. I did think it was a way to share thoughtful posts! I have been gratified to see my rep score gradually increase as I have been taken more seriously.
In this coming year I hope to do even better and I'm grateful that flagrant abuse of buying and selling of up votes is being addressed. I've never asked for one up vote!