Yeah, I lean right as well (fiscally). There's no way in hell I'd seriously post any political stuff online that's tied to my real name. There is absolutely no nuance in online discussions. Just wrong think, name calling, and down votes (and spamming links that "prove" things at each other).

Contrast that with the real world where (outside of some fringe goofballs) having deeply different political beliefs doesn't mean that much. You can vehemently disagree with one another... while also enjoying each other's company (and also talking about things other than politics!).

Try being a Libertarian on social media... I get hammered from the "left" because of my "taxation is theft" and "defend the #2A at all costs" mindset, and get hammered from the "right" because I believe in strict separation of Church and State, don't glorify the police and military, oppose all drug laws, am pro-choice, and oppose the death penalty. Basically, every political conversation I get involved in is a negative experience for me, as I basically feel like I'm always under attack and have almost no allies or friends. :-(

Hate to break it to you, but I have multiple friends who have been banned from here for the same thing.

Be very careful criticizing socialism, for instance, or the mods (one in particular) will accuse you of starting "flame wars".

Of course any debate that isn't related to their personal politics or against their worldview is fine.

Case in point: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20830862

Note that criticizing capitalism endlessly is just fine. Defending it? Not so much.