I did not realize that there was a movement for free downvotes. If the only two choices are free downvotes or cheaper downvotes, obviously cheaper is better. But either will destroy the motivation to create quality content.

Choice A: Put up a gif of a miner, self vote and hope it sneaks by the downvoting posse.

Choice B: Put 3 - 6 hours of work into a post, hope it gets votes, then hope it sneaks by the downvoting posse.

For anyone with a job and life, choice A wins the vast majority of the time.