Counter argue with words instead of a downvote.. if your counter argument is superior and more people agree with you, your counter argument will get more upvotes. Words/comment require logic+articulation.. downvotes only require emotions.

EDIT: Also wanna say what this guy said is so true... i think the fact that every comment/post is a battle between upvotes and downvotes can't help but give people the feeling that popularity is what matters and therefore the popular vote is automatically right.