Wow sounds like you had to unleash some fire. I find making money online very easy. Its all the bs and "secrets" that make people weary. Its like there has to be some sort of balance or everyone would be millionaires online and nobody would show up for work. The internet game is easy once you approach it like your in college or in a university.
Forget all the negativity, block the hatred out, pursue your dreams and anyone can make it in this business. Last time I checked not many people are working for these companies. Either the companies that are operating online are working closely with those companies or they are not. So many softwares and companies are operating on what worked 1 - 5 - 10 years ago and the people who buy into these programs wonder why they get discouraged.
The only way to make it is to do things the right way and teach people how to do the same. However you want to make a website or build links is fine. Just make sure you learn how to do it how Google, Bing, and Yahoo want you to do it directly and not what some so-called guru wants you to do it who only wants your money.