I agree with you @lexiconical. Minnows are learning from the whales that Resteeming has value. I've seen some Steemians with zero creation and loads of padded curation. By padded I mean a range of posts with the potential high-dollar payouts.
While I understand your frustration, I do believe the regulation of such will fall under the designer's original plan to let Steemians steer the ship. It becomes clear when people gamishly resteem posts. I could live with putting a cap on the number of curation rewards offered. And, I certainly could live with blocking bots from the curation pool.
As it stands, Resteeming is a perk, and for me, added fun to see if a new post gains momentum. Of course, some are already steeming, and well, IF it is a good post, then resteeming is icing on the cake.
I think for now, those who operate from an unethical place eventually reap their reward/penalty. If they aren't really creators, and SUDDENLY the rules of the platform change, making it an algorithm-based reward based on meritorious they will find the well of the game drying up. Just a thought. It will all work out. Thanks for sharing your opinion. I'm resteeming this post...Hope it's okay.
Peace.