You are making very good points, and I totally agree. I would go even further, I want Steemit to be totally decentralised, and community governed, like a DAO.
But what you suggest is definitely an improvement.
Let´s put pressure on the leadership. After all other platforms will be able to offer more egalitarian environments. If Steemit.inc is not willing to change, users will start voting with their feet,myself included.