When did 'crazy' become fashionable?

Once upon a time, spouting off theories about the 'new world order' or the coming 'destruction of America' was frowned upon and ridiculed. You would be laughed out of the room for coming up with outlandish conspiracy theories claiming our own government attacked us on 9-11. Now it seems in vogue to call people 'socialists' or 'communists' at the drop of hat. You can say 'Obama is a terrorist' or '9-11 was an inside job' and nobody even blinks. Hec, you can even be an outright bigot: "I hate gays or I hate Mexicans," and people stand up an applaud you. I am losing my mind or when did it become okay - even admired - to be a loon?