Why NOT an "reverse recommendation" button on DU?

[Bicoastal]

Someone once suggested this idea, in a joking fashion, in the Lounge. To me, however, this idea makes loads of sense--a function that would, in effect, cancel out someone else's recommendation. This would stop highly contentious posts (for example, hit pieces on Democratic presidential candidates) from reaching the top of the "Greatest page," and would alert us all to heavily offensive/disliked threads. Those of us who like confrontations could join the fray to pump it up to the positive side, and the rest could steer clear.

This would definitely make the moderators' jobs easier, especially if when a post reached a negative enough rating (say, -100), it would be automatically deleted. Furthermore, it would stop cries of censorship around here for good, since the people monitoring your freedom of expression would be your fellow DU'ers. However, considering how easy it would be to abuse the system and target members you have a grudge against, I think, unlike the recommendation system, this would have to be systematically restricted--after de-recommending a thread, you would be unable to de-recommend another for 48 hours. Thus, you'd be compelled to save this function for posts you feel strongly about, instead of wasting them on trivial issues.

Like this idea? Recommend it, so it goes to the Greatest Page and Skinner sees it. If you detest this idea--well, short of posting your disapproval, you're screwed...for now. :P

Bicoastal.