If those who took your money had originally given it to you, they might have had an argument. But to steal money other members gave you - that is THEFT.

I am fighting the same kind of mentality on another issue and it makes me angry that they consider it between themselves, take the money and, they say, pass it on to the reward pool.

I do not want any money from the reward pool, for then it makes me guilty of accepting money stolen from you and others, as in their post:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@yougotflagged/daily-flag-report-11-20-17

I wish I was wealthy, I would then pass back to you what they took, times ten - just to piss them off.

I am also saddened to see, in so many ways, that the admin here are just as small minded and mean and determined to censor what they don't like as the officers of the other large social media groups.As they go down, in the end, so will Steemit.

They have attracted people who are artistic, and such people tend to be very anti dictatorship, censorship and appropriation of funds belonging to others (theft). Of course, it is being discussed by others who are more knowledgeable and they try to find excuses, that taking back money (not given by them, so it is not a 'taking back', but let's not belabour that point right now) so that they can manipulate the flow of steem and the value, keeping it roughly at one dollar.

I just hope somebody opens something like steemit, but runs it more intelligently and honestly - and caring, so that I can move there. It is not the money being stolen, it is the fact that it is being stolen and that our opinions count for nothing, giving themselves powers as if they are the Elite and we are the serfs, that maddens me.

PS This also suggests we should not try to build up our steem power, but grab our money as and when we can.

PS2 I also will see to it that this post is seen by others outside of Steemit. A pity they will also have to see what is happening, giving them reason to compare us to people like FB etc. What a pity, for this truly was presented as being an effort to break away from the past and create something new and beautiful. And it could have been, if not for petty dictators and greedy investors.