@smackdown.kitty only down votes with equal or less effect as the original self up vote, you can confirm this on a blockchain explorer like steemd.com for example. The current code is making the down vote always slightly less. The reputation score is an effect of the current system and we stand by it.
We are not trying to be gentle with users who take the most rewards per day with large up votes on comments, we're trying to cancel the effect of their vote as a strong disagreement.