Free Speech > Nitpicks.
It's not about restricting free speech. If you (don't) support someone, that's fine. All I ask is not to post replies that add nothing to the conversation.
But you kinda are. Even posts like "^^^" or "+/-1" express an opinion about a post, even if it's only contributing an opinion of preference.
What you are trying to ban here are short posts that take up screen estate that you think are "useless" (matter of opinion). So until an option is implemented that allows the voicing of "+/-1" without taking up a post space, it's not right to remove the voice of the community at large.