[distances]

I feel it's a ludicrous idea that EU would have paid commenters anywhere. It's just not politically feasible; someone would leak sooner ir later, and the political fallout would be enormous. Russia is known to do that, but I don't think even they bother with HN. The simple explanation is, I think, that at some point the timezone is right for folks from Europe, or the post just hits the frontpage.

As for your gut feeling, could it be that the other viewpoint is just so foreign to you? I'm a programmer and hacker, and generally pro-regulation, as I feel that a strong state is a necessary counterbalance for the self-interest of companies.