Your comments reflect the way most of us here feel. The current state of things demand something where people have total control and can actually decide on their own. A system with paid moderators works against that by diluting the power of your votes for change.
I honestly don't mind paid moderators -- at least no more than i mind paid cops. It seems like a shit job, and perhaps some tangible compensation will actually help if the
BTC is there -- no more "whaddaya expect fo nothin'?"