I'll take a stab at this, though apparently you missed my last one explaining it in the other "random" network hate thread. Uploading copyright infringing content has 2 primary purposes. #1 is to enhance the existing material. This is when copyrighted content is perhaps overlaid on top of another piece of content. In the case of #1, a strike may occur if the channel is targeted by an especially vindictive content owner. However the channel generally only ever gets one strike at a time. Usually they have fair warning of when they are being punished and have a method of some recourse, appeals or simply waiting out the 6 month timer.
#2 the infringing content IS the source content. In this case the content is only put online for the purpose of gaining views, making money and establishing a subscriber base. It is also most often uploaded wholesale, full episodes, entire seasons, whole movies, etc. These channels can go for a while without being caught by ContentID if they're lucky and make some money. However, when they're caught they tend to be shut down immediately.
Now in the case of number 2, that copyrighted content is by far the view driver for the channel. Other legitimate videos may well get views, but not nearly as much if the copyrighted content wasn't there. As such it is impossible to know what views are legitimate and what are not. This is the "proceeds of crime" argument. That pile of money on your bed may very well be from your legit job, but if it's sitting beside a brick of cocaine, you're losing both. I'm not crazy enough to truly equate copyright infringement to selling drugs, but the similar concept does apply here as well.
By uploading significant wholesale copyrighted content, the channel owner is benefiting beyond the views of that content. It is much easier to rank for due to lack of competition, much easier to gain a following with. And very against the rules. The idea that people think they can get away with this AND still b***h about missing income when they're found out because "hey I had some legit videos too". f**k off, you're the poison that is the reason the rest of us have to deal with the new affiliate/managed nonsense.