As mentioned, it'll never be perfect and etc. but ... what if down voting didn't count toward whatever it is is votes count toward here (your name in lights? reward in heaven? a *brand new car!*) but still used up a vote? Or maybe counted only a quarter or a half - the idea being, as criticism is supposed to be good for both the giver and receiver (or is that x-mas presents ;-), it is its own reward. It seems almost more monkish to have --ing be something that 'costs' both sides.

Until we are all saints, nobody's really a saint ...

a