I realize this may seem petty or silly, but hear me out.
First off, is this configurable (without add-ons or hacks)?
It seems a little subdued, perhaps not noticed by users and I think it can be a good way to say "Thanks"/"Like" or "Dislike" in lieu of making a post with only a word or two.
Perhaps like Reddit or YouTube, two choices would be enough, "Like" or "Dislike"? Something like this?
Just a thought. If that widget isn't configurable internal to the forum, then I'm sure we'll all agree to leave it alone for the sake of speed and simplicity.