I agree that 50% of the number of votes seems high just for using all the available votes. But I also think it wierd that you can get a point just for saying "thank you" to someone who helped you with a question.
I think that if points are going to be given, they should be given based on merit, not on simply excercising your right to vote or posting a message that says "thanks."
Just my 1/50th of a dollar.