Yes, this doesn't at all disagree with my comment; browsing /new for a while, it is very obvious that most of the time, flagging is used to filter out spam and

Yes, this doesn't at all disagree with my comment; browsing /new for a while, it is very obvious that most of the time, flagging is used to filter out spam and off-topic posts. However, it is certainly a thing that happens that on-topic posts, specially those covering topics where technology and politics intersect, often get down-voted if they touch on certain topics. Mind you, I am specifically talking about posts that have already started spawning on-topic conversations in the comments. Overzealous and politically motivated flagging is definitely a thing that happens on HN, and the tool to combat it (showing dead posts and vouching for them) are much better hidden than the flag button.