Well, to put it in Marx' terms:
The problem is that steem is a 100% capitalistic thing.
There are the exploited masses, who write hours for a single dollar.
There are the rentiers, that just put their capital "to use" and need not do anything (much).
And, as in real life, the amount people get paid is inversely proportional to their use to society.
That also applies if you try to lift up others - you suffer.
I personally am still on the "lift myself up" stage, but I still try to be useful.
For example I already gave away 80 shares (steem) for @steembasicincome
I recommend you have a look at it, if you don't know it.