The downvote probably came because you seemingly registered just to post a comment listing your politics. The fact that you think the downvote came because of a

The downvote probably came because you seemingly registered just to post a comment listing your politics. The fact that you think the downvote came because of a YC-related conflict of interest suggests that you suffer from some form of paranoia or a persecution complex. Reddit appeals primarily (but not exclusively) to young males in their 20's and 30's. As a subgroup, they tend to lean libertarian, which is why they are more accepting of recreational drug use. Reddit has a bright future, but maybe not with CN. They don't know how to monetize it properly, and they seem to be tethered to the glossy world of magazines. Considering the success Tina Brown has had in moving away from that via The Daily Beast, it looks like IAC would be a better fit for Reddit than CN.