Honestly, I have to say, a private option it pointless, if it's a private matter, PM a Mod. That Mod can take it to the Staff Forum. This is just my opinion though.
Also think making them public was a great idea. (Also shows you're listening :P)
I agree with you, completely. It has a tenancy to boil down to popularity contests.
If you want, depends on what the Rep System you're planning on using, I might know someone that can mod it for you (or even write on for you {In both senses of my suggestions}).
I'm personally leery on Reputation Systems, they are often abused, but assuming you keep a close eye on things...it should work out better.
As for Post Count vs. User Group - I say disable Post Count and base User Groups on the Point System.
-=EDIT=-
Are these points ran through a CP or anything? So Mods can keep an eye on it?
A thread in general would just get shitposted to Hell anyways. (Not that threads don't get shitposted everywhere else {IE the "Ticket System" thread})
I really don't see what the big deal is to having a QnA/Suggestion board is, unless there is some yellow tape I am missing.
I almost ignored this for sheer fact of lulz, but I agree that the rules are too vague and need to be rewritten. Hence my reply.
I pretty much agree with this, but sometimes it gets to the point where it needs light and it need public attention.
Touche.
Although, there is a topic at hand, it was just lost after about post #1. Picked up a few times, at quite random rate, and then shat on some more.
But you knew what I meant P: