I agree with what you say. It's terrible to redirect people to your post because they will get a vote. Just tells you how wrong the attitude is in this place. People aren't wanting to find interesting things to read but are just hunting for a rare vote. I think it is a slap in the face. Direct people to good content by all means but promising them a reward at the same time is just wrong. How many others are rewarding readers then? Is it that rare that you stand out and an easy target as such. I just think the weeding needs to be happening now and to have an eye out for genuine comment makers.
Some reward and if you follow some of the people commenting here you will find the other accounts rewarding too. Some off more than I do. It is quite a little money earner for some I would imagine. I don't mind rewarding them even if they are just in it for the money if they add to the conversation.
I hear what you are saying but it is still a shitty thing to do. Direct people to you. It is meant to be a community so find things you like. Must be quite bad out there if that is how they are helping people.