> The YouTube creators that make the content do need to get paid

Nope.

They may get paid, they may not. That's the risk they've chosen. They may also get their Google account banned with no recourse for something minor or even non-existent.

> So either one is rich in time (doing whatever "why don't you just ..." hoop you expect me to jump through) or rich in money.

That's what they want you to think, you've been watching too many ads.