This community has always been pretty big. At least for the year you've been here. People always get lost in the cracks but generally speaking, they just aren't around enough to be found. Favoritism is such a funny word. Generally, leadership doesn't make friends with jerks. They are generally good people and a hard working. Other admins can be the same but you'd be hard pressed trying to make someone hang out with people they don't like or talk with people they don't like. So I really don't know what you are complaining about.
"Really sad cause this isn't how it was when I joined up."
It's always been like this. Talk to the right people and get recognized. I don't know where you've been. I don't know what you are talking about besides maybe a few hits and misses here and there but man... I just don't see what you are shooting at.
Sorry.