I believe it is important NOT to blame David T for moderation, in fact everybody with a non-negative karma can be a moderator here, and that is how slash-dot works. Also notice that it is a common situation to have several moderators on the same topic, and unfortunately it became common practice that a given moderator just starts doing his/her work after some days the topic was posted, so she/he can change more easily the work made by the moderator who has already spent the points, I know because it happened to me when I started moderating some topic just to see everything I'd done changed in the end, and it was curious how people complained when the scores I gave were changed. I really don't know if the system can be changed and anyway I don't think it should be associated with sending a donation, but it is in fact a positive criticism in overall terms, and I would suggest that at least the name of the moderator can be read and how the topic was moderated by each moderator, also that a more specific ethical guide should be provided to be used as a model by the moderators.
Regardless moderation, in case it is possible to make a contribution, I will, because despite all these problems David T is making such a wonderful job and if nobody else, he deserves our high respect.
Different One, I agree with everything you said and just wrote this to reinforce some points.