For a start point - yes. HC probably just missed it and haven't noticed posters misusing it. .
At least they didn't leave it on the politics and non stock threads
Would actually be a useful thing if you could see where posters actually got their likes from. Posters could also clasify post in several catagorys from good humour, good FA analysis , good TA and that could act as a guide as different posters are good at different things.
That said I still liked the very old thumb downs as they at least indicated that everyone wasn't happy clappy . Yes I now the issues but implemented a different way it could at least show that all don't agree with content. It is after all a site to educate and allow people the opportunity to make $ not just a ramp fest and bait for the naive newbys wandering off the uni twitter site and having a punt.
Also people who have never posted and just watch seem to do a lot of thumbing at times.