Having to wait for 13 weeks to get our own money back is nothing short of hostage taking, and certainly not an aspect of any entity that we would want to trust much money with.

Depends if you see it as money or an investment, doesn't it? I own my apartment but I can't just walk away with the value of it.

New members unfortunately quickly discover that the payouts they receive from up-voting are nowhere remotely close to what is promoted.

And where is a value promoted? Jerry Banfield?

While I am undecided on the time, I don't think your arguments are well reasoned and I do not believe it is "hostage taking" to have some period of time. From an investment perspective into something like a startup, it might take years to ever be able to get out of the initial investment, if at all.