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> ..., or do users with sufficient karma get a downvote button (...)?

Yes, they do. I always forget the threshold, but there is one. Check the 4th point in the FAQ: http://ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html

thanks!

The threshold when I crossed it was 500 karma to downvote. Not sure what it is now, but I got the impression it doesn't change that often.

Sometimes downvote means "I disagree". Since you proposed a transaction tax, most likely a libertarian apologist pounced on you.

ah, ok. i guess that's their right ;)