jenk-
depends on what you mean by 'work'. generally i think the goal is to let the better designed, more creative cards have greater visibility than the rest. the system functions to some extent, but some good ideas (such as reverent) have lingered in level 1, while other good ideas end up in the archives rather quickly sometimes due to influx of new cards and the 18 card monthly limit.
but if you have an idea other than voting, personally i would be all ears. i suppose a system similar to what the idea factory started with the boutique, where the members of a select group brought up cards for consideration. if a dozen or so people selected by the curators and/or oldtrees brought up ideas they found to be particularly good, that may better serve the purpose.
kuro- will be interested to see if anything comes of it