Vests get more expensive everyday. As of this writing it 1 vests is 405 steem. Last week it was 300 something.
Back in the day it was 1 vest = 1 steem.
Therefore Vests get more expensive everyday. And I really think that it is vests that that effect your voting power more.
Vests DON'T have interest. You only earn vests through posting and curating.
Yes, thank you @mctiller. I probably should have included the fact that vests do not get interest, but I was afraid their hair might catch fire. There is so much to learn and a steep learning curve for newbie bloggers and anyone, like me, who's never had to deal with cryptocurrency until now.
AND WOW! I think I was a month too late in joining when it was 1 vest per Steem. wahhhh! :( I'm even noticing the higher our reputation score goes, the harder it is to get to the next level. Kind of feels like a hamster wheel sometimes! LOL
You're correct about the rep. Getting from 60 to 70 is harder than going from 50 to 60.
And I'm still not sure if I understand Steem Power, but I really think it's the number of vests you have that is the important number.