This might not have entered into your vision of reality but I assure you that's how it works. If you keep getting shafted by cheap programming "talent" and keep looking for more, you might just be a fucking idiot.
Swearing and making poor extrapolations off of a simple query doesn't make you cool. It actually makes you look like the idiot, not him.
In terms of great programmers, money is often subordinate to a great many other things, hence adjunct. Note I didn't say money doesn't matter.
Let me illustrate by paraphrasing the conversations I have on occasion.
Ordinary Programmer: I'm quitting.
Me: Why?
OP: I can get $15k more at X.
Me: Will you stay if I match it?
OP: Yes.
Great Programmer: I'm quitting.
Me: Why?
GP: I've got a great opportunity to work over at X with Y doing Z.
Me: Look, I can't afford to lose you: If it's a matter of money I'll match it.
Me: Perhaps we can see how Z might work for us....
GP: Actually I'm pretty keen on working with Y.
GP: It's not about the money, believe it or not I'm taking a bit of a cut.
Me: I see. Is there anything I can do to make you stay?
GP: Nope. Hey, once I'm settled in you should come and meet Y.But after about 2 years of not making money at the "great place to work" I end up having to move on to something that is also interesting, but actually pays.
But then again, I never accept a counter offer. If I was worth 15k more to you, then why the hell weren't you paying that to start with? That just shows a lack of respect.
Great programmers tend to value other things such as working with other great programmers and a stimulating problem domain. The money tends to be an adjunct.