You clearly want the option.

And you clearly don't want me (or anybody else) to have the option. That's quite oppressive, isn't? You feel entitled to block my options (because I might misbehave) while you deny me the right to block your payout (even though it comes from funds we share). Where is the logic in this? How come your fear trump my freedom?

It's amazing how this mindset works.

You even say that I want to "exert control" when actually it's you who want to exert control over me and deny me the option that I say I need. I call it "control" because you want to limit my options, as you clearly don't trust me (or anybody else) to have the downvote tool in my hands - I'll do stupid things with it.

This is exactly how governments perceive reality: people are irresponsible and need to be guided and protected, otherwise they'll hurt themselves. The last thing a government want to see is people acting in a responsible way.

Regarding my wish to exert control - it's not about "what another person can make with their work". All I want to do is execute my Steem Power (by upvoting everything else but X) and if any control is involved in it, it's about controlling our shared funds, not other people's income. If we had unlimited resources - then yes, you'd have a valid point.

As I read through this post any sympathy for the suggestion dissipated.

Your lack of sympathy is irrelevant here. Only these two aspects matter: some people wanting it and the devs willing to implement it. This feature does not take anything away from you. It might affect you but you need to accept it, as this is the nature of the game when we share limited resources.