Why do people flag answers as unhelpful if they are in competition for the tip or if someone disagrees with their personal political views?

Generally I think the system does work, although as you say a few people do abuse it. In most cases these are relatively new users who don't realize what they mean. If you see anyone abusing the helpful/unhelpful system you should politely refer them to the Mahalo etiquette mahalo.com/mahalo-answers-etiquette page.

On the other hand, there are quite a lot of people who vote answers helpful. Even if they A) disagree with the view, and B) also have an answer in that question. I know I do, and the reason that I do that is because I'm following the example of the people who were here when I arrived.

I don't think adding more and more flags is the answer... I think 'reminding' people of what they should be used for is more productive. And if after some reminders people are behaving like jerks, then ask a friendly sheriff to step in and leave them to perform the necessary.

Generally I think the system does work, although as you say a few people do abuse it. In most cases these are relatively new users who don't realize what they mean. If you see anyone abusing the helpful/unhelpful system you should politely refer them to the Mahalo etiquette mahalo.com/mahalo-answers-etiquette page.

On the other hand, there are quite a lot of people who vote answers helpful. Even if they A) disagree with the view, and B) also have an answer in that question. I know I do, and the reason that I do that is because I'm following the example of the people who were here when I arrived.

I don't think adding more and more flags is the answer... I think 'reminding' people of what they should be used for is more productive. And if after some reminders people are behaving like jerks, then ask a friendly sheriff to step in and leave them to perform the necessary....

Most of those who have been doing this lately that I have seen, have been quickly informed not to do so, and then mysteriously disappear. Implies to me they probably continued and staff booted them. Regardless Mahalo seems to keep good tabs on behavior here.

I don't think we need an agree or disagree button, this isn't a "which answer most people agree with" contest. The person asking the question can determine that all there own.

Yeah, that's not very sportsmanlike. I think only answers that are obscene, libelous, or seriously abusive should be taken down. We're all entitled to our opinions.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.