Anonomous use of rec/unrec;

I propose a system for the accountability of rec/unrec votes. While this seems undemocratic (a vote is supposed to be secret), I feel this option can and is used as a tool by professional trolls to manipulate open discourse on this forum. I base this on the premise that many forum users have limited time to spend looking for posts that would not waste their time restraints. I see them only viewing posts based on the number of recs. If a post has low recs then a possibly pertinent post may may not be viewed as much as it would normally be and deserved based on content and not by manipulation of what is basically a poll.

This system of accountability could take several forms. It could mention the members' screen name that votes nay or yea. Another suggestion it to post a running count of the yeas and nays. This could be done with the number for the recs, a number for the unrecs and a total +/- overall as it currently stands.

Currently verbal response to an OP includes the screen name of the responder. I do not think it a moral issue that those who use rec/unrecs be given anonymity.

I find the present system for recs/unrecs problematic. I have noticed many other posters have similar attitudes and they make their feelings known. Some OPs in which I speak are gun issues, attacks on certain Conservative individuals related issues.

I realize there is great diversity at DU and of being a Democratic. That has been the great thing of being in a party that includes many diverse viewpoints. I would not have it any other way. In fact, the current thinking of the Republic Party is that their elected members need conform to the prevailing party plank or risk shunning and defeat in their next reelection bid.

I find many issues have several legitimate sides where there are reasons why a rec/unrec count remains low. However, a conserted action to manipulate the DU board, with respect to the rec/unrec option, is a real and ongoing threat to DU.

I see several problems with this proposal. There would be a greater load upon the servers. During times of high forum usage this extra load may not not be able to be sustained. However, I have noticed high forum usage does not occur often. Another issue would be more attacks on DU members who vote yea or nay on any certain issue. This could possibly lead to less voting on one issue by DU members who treasure their anonymity. However, the poster does make their feelings known when they leave a post.

We plan to scrap the entire thing at some point and start over.