Because the us government leaders have become extreme and have also taken drastic steps that effect the economy in bad ways, people naturally post more on this in more places since often people only start caring and talking about things when it effects them economically

I'm surprised you've had an apolitical experience up until two weeks ago. HN has always had politics creep onto the front page, less so during the off-season, but still pretty present IME. Especially prevalent over the last two years. Lots of side conversation bickering in random threads.

Apolitical vibes is a luxury that's hard to keep up given the level of insanity all around us.

We're (sadly) living in interesting times…