Wittshirk:  Employers have gotten in the habit of reviewing employees, and job applicants "Face-Book" and other social media pages, including comments sections.  You are advocating that people risk their lively-hood by commenting under their real names.  Social media has become very important for reaching the public, for expressing ideas and opinions.  Your position would have a significant portion of the public silenced.  In my particular case, I don't post under my real name, but in many of my posts I have given enough info for anyone to figure out who I am.  And if someone decides to go through that minor effort, then they could make me a target, and provoke personal attacks against me.  If and when it happens, I will quit commenting.  Don't want to have to read my opinions?  Then "pull my cover" and attack me personally.  I will simply go back to not being involved in my community.