I kind of agree with that. The threat of negative rep is enough to make some people refrain from posting diverging opinions, regardless of where it is. But on the other hand, the Chronic Achievement Syndrome(tm) would also compel many people to strive for maximum rep, which on average would make their behaviour more tolerable. I didn't care that much about it, but it's always nice to get a pat on the back from someone who approves of what you did or said, so i wouldn't mind it returning. Not a huge loss if it doesn't, either.

Also, throwing an idea out there: Removing the ability to down-rep people. Prevents rep-bombing, while still allowing awesome people to amass a huge e-cock. Bad posters simply don't get as much rep as good posters, so you can still spot the monstrously large e-peens among the dinky ones. In other words, positive reinforcement.
Bad idea y/n?