The reason I took the time to write the response is not because I want to argue, but because I like your idea that we should dig out evidence that this is a bad approach that is hurting the whole platform in the long run. Unfortunately, I don't think the experiment you are proposing is a real possibility right now or anytime soon.
The first place I'd look for this type of evidence would be the data that's already on the blockchain. There is a lot of data already about what's happening, who's active, what's the price of Steem and so on, maybe somebody could find a good way to probe into it and find some meaningful correlations. I would start there I think, but I'm not even sure that's viable either.
RE: Steem is a Free Market, Therefore Buying Votes is Voluntary and Not a Problem (or is it?)