I think inflation is actually a good thing and one of the things that has set Steemit apart.
- Inflation redistributes wealth, while scarcity keeps the wealth on the same hands. Bad for growth.
- Infaltion makes it necessary to work all the time to keep up the investments - therefore it is more dynamic. Also good for growth.
I agree with your second bullet note about the stake-based votes. It might be combined with a vote count bonus.
I also think that the problems with Steem is that it has been so (ideologically) free that the experiment has been hit with so many clever machinations. Many people have left with a very bad story of corruption and power abuse.
I am not economically educated at all, just my overall view.