I think the best explanation to this is akin to the explanation they had for the transporter (with it's "Heisenberg compensator"): they simply didn't know. They

I think the best explanation to this is akin to the explanation they had for the transporter (with it's "Heisenberg compensator"): they simply didn't know. They couldn't explain it, and they didn't want to throw out some bullshit detailed explanation -- they just asked "what if this was a thing?". Now since it's a thing, I don't think you would expect people to routinely exploit it (that would have been figured out by then), although that might have been interesting. Someday one author came about and proposed that they simply have no money. Instead of saying "Well that couldn't work!", they just went with it, leaving interesting voids to be filled. Altogether, I agree there are so many things left unexplored, but they could only do so much with the limited time and while actually telling a compelling story. Remember, this is a TV show, it's meant to draw emotions, be compelling, and tell political stories about people.