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I'm afraid @nc-mgtow is right.
I do not have enough voting power to remove their downvotes, and they do not hear reasonable arguments. it seems that people simply assert themselves at the expense of minnows

I upvote minnows who use the system as intended instead of abusing it. When people collude to vote each other payouts unrelated to any productivity, they're turning Steem into a scam. The exchange value of rewards comes from new investors buying Steem, and you're directing that value to the existing Steem holders who vote with you. That perfectly fits the definition of a Ponzi scheme.

the more they flag the less voting power they have

So is that the plan, just wear them down?

I think it is the only option right now.