Comment: i dont think it should be required but

it is certainly a reasonable thing to expect. Not that it up-votes stroke my ego or down-votes hurt my feelings -- but, one outta be able to defend their position.

I think there are a lot of interesting opinions (but definitely not all) on this website and I have often been able to find a new perspective on posted topics. These ideas have often helped when forming my own opinion and discussing current events with "real" acquaintances.

Conclusion: debate is healthy, and explanatino is courtesy