Down-voting without responding: intellectual cowardice?

I think everyone should put their big boy pants on stop crying....seriously, so you got a down vote....who cares? Do you explain when you give an up vote? I don't believe that anyone owes anyone else an explanation for their "vote". 9 out of 10 times it will just lead to a back and forth, endless conversation. I think we will all agree that there is already enough of that. Just my two cents though....who am I?

<p>If I dont get a down vote at least once&nbsp;a week, then I dont feel like I have contributed enough.&nbsp; Although people should agree with EVERYTHING I say that wouldnt be any fun.&nbsp; Im sure there's a few people out there that I can enlighten.&nbsp; Then there's always the possibility that I may be wrong one day, but it's more likely that someone has hacked my account and posted on my behalf.</p><p>All that to say I felt the same way initially about down votes, but if you dont say something to support it, I will just hunt you down in the threads when you finally do post something and engage.</p><p>DISCLAIMER:&nbsp; If you dont know me on this site yet, I use humor.&nbsp; It's up to you decide if how you take it.</p>

I consider it a mark of respect to explain to someone why I disapprove of their post. I won't down vote someone simply because I disagree with their position. I use a down vote for something I find to be patently offensive or disgusting. I can disagree with someone's position while approving of the way it is expressed. I feel it is important to explain why I myself, down vote something so that if I misinterpreted the post, the author can correct me. Or maybe the author just might decide to reconsider their position. Communication IS the key to change.......

PS: Perhaps the system should be changed to vote for agree, disagree, and offensive. with the "offensive" vote requiring a comment before it is posted......Just a thought.