I came searching this thread because I found my power to affect someone's reputation is +/- 1. I also observed that some other newbies have less posts or solved less problems and got more points.
The only thread I got negative, in my honest opinion, are from idiots to put it mildly. And I get down graded? The reputation and power to change reputation is really beyond my ability to understand.
If I don't get answer from the community or moderators in next few days, I am going to give good bye salute with you know which finger.