We have fostered a culture where it's not safe to hold controversial opinions under your own name. I don't think the inflation issue is sensitive enough where I am so I can come out and say that current US inflation policy is dreadful and will come to roost, but I would never give an opinion that I think could be used against me on my main account anywhere anymore.

Not everyone who disagrees with you is a paid shill. No, I will go further and say very few people are actually paid shills, and I don't like this boogeyman (though sadly shills of course also exist).