I commend Kevin and yourself for making the concerted effort to reward quality content especially from newer people.  For those with strong voting power, I will state it is greatly appreciated.  And isnt that the solution to eliminating the need to buy voting power.

Personally, I have not done it nor will I.  I can understand those that do and why they do it.  However, if those with the VP voted for quality content, which is posted on here daily, wouldnt minnow turn into bigger fish at a much quicker pace?

I really have no problem with those who upvote their own posts.  If one is looking for quality content, cant one find it in his/her own creation.  I am sure most feel their stuff is quality.  

Ultimately, I dont think anything will stop it.  People engage in behavior that is self serving for the most part.  People will buy votes simply because it helps them out.  It is no different from the posts we see about the whales simply upvoting each other (which isnt completely true but that is another story)....why shouldnt they?  If it serves them to "circle" vote, why shouldnt they?