I got banned from my city's subreddit for questioning why folks were against anti-crime (moderate Democrat) politicians running for the city mayor's office. Now I can't participate at all: I can't ask my community for recommendations, take up offers on free concert tickets that are frequently given out, etc. Where else do I go for that?

Social media is a common carrier, and unelected mods are unwanted and unjustified authoritarians.

It should all just be a protocol. No platforms.

You are saying that it's okay for people to put my name on a list just because they have certain prejudices, and that it then becomes to other users to verify if the accusation is true?

Luckily for me, my customers are sensible people who are not particularly interested in following these drama-seeking, HOA personalities of Mastodon. They just want to go on with their lives and support someone who is at least providing a service and support the open web.