if you're saying what I think you're saying (hehe).... spot on, my friend!

strong post, and right to the point!
If people want to succeed here under the new rules, they will have to use every opportunity afforded to them, work vigorously, and not expect handouts.

which are all excellent principles which ultimately have little to do with greed from the "top" and mainly to do with the individual making the best attempt at using THIS system to their benefit.

If they agree to stay - then they are by default accepting these new conditions. Therefore, there is no room for complaining. Simply use what you have and give the best attempt.

If they find that the system is not fair - or equal - then, they need to do what's best for them.

No one forces anyone to be on steem, and this is - in fact - a platform that belongs to steemit. NOT the community.

The community agrees to be here by virtue of their continued support of this system and is responsible for their own choices, and the consequences from them.

What remains to be seen is : will steem fold because they have made the conditions unfair and unequal enough to make it not worthwhile for the most common user (which are small accounts)

Time will tell, but I think there are a lot more people who are willing to stay and try, than those of us who believe in a different model and leave.

so.... yeah. time will tell ;)