I use up all my VP primarily in up-voting players on a daily basis and don't have any left for outside votes, so the players often end up making more than I do since most have tiny vote pay-outs. You are by far my biggest contributor and I am very thankful for your contributions. I agree that the players will not actually lose anything even if they don't win because of the daily up-votes and especially if the VP grows! Odds are everyone should have an even chance of actually winning the pot eventually if the game is popular and continues in the same fashion. Winning the pot will be great!
Friendly competition is fine as long as nobody takes it too seriously. It looked like previous back-stabbing was all taken in fun, so I think we should be good with this group of people. I suppose the trick will be to limit the pot to a smaller amount where it will never become obsessive and critical to win at all costs.