No points are taken away from down-rates. The boxes to the right of questions and answers are just ratings, Only the up-rates create points and once you earn them, you keep them. The rates are just to place the question and or answers lower in the database. There is no way to disagree with those who down-rate and win those ratings back. As for who moderates us who rate, that would be no one. You should not worry so much about down-rates the only one they really hurt is those that give them as they lower their percentages.

When we flag a question or answer it goes to the Staff moderators, part time workers hired by the Staff. They are the ones who look through them and approve or reject the flag and if required, move or reject those posts. If someone doesn't agree with the decision, either way (like if you had a question you felt was unfairly rejected) you can use the Feedback button on the bottom of each page to state your reasons and why you disagree. If you get an email of a rejection, you can write back, using that email address to say why you disagree. Often they will give it another look and change their minds. At times a new moderator is hired and they will go through a period of training and that's when we often hear about many disagreements and wrong calls. But it's through the complaints and Feedback that they will get 'educated'. For the last 2-3 weeks they have been training a new moderator and many of us have been having rejected flags. They never take points away from anyone unless it's as a fine, for instance if they feel you have flagged wrongly too often they might fine you -10 points each one, but again, if you feel they were unfair, write back and asking them about it. It's really rare that they do that, though. Usually they just send rejection notices.