The flag icon just adds to the confusion and should be removed, after which the strenght of some users downvotes should be lowered.
I don't agree with this at all. I think the correct response to not liking something on steemit (with the exception of spam or low-value repetition) is to move on to other posts. Very rarely should posts or comments that are not part of a larger pattern ever be flagged/downvoted.
I might just one day for fun make the flag button on steemit.com appear to work, but actually just mute the user.