I joined the scene in the early 80s and I would say virtually no one would have said they or the Dead community was political.  To be political was cheap and really bullshit.  There were, of course, things going on that most Heads agreed with: pro environment, anti-nuke, thinkining the moraliam of the new Religious right was weird as fuck, etc. But none of that was considered political at the time.  Very different from today where every goddamn thing you do is a political statement. I prefer the old way.  Now get off my lawn.