It starts in local politics but money runs politics and political dynasties control a significant amount anyway. Local politics is just one avenue for corruption to grow.

Europe took 10,000 years to go from wagon type A to wagon type B. And sword type A(bronze) to sword type B(steel) but the US took 400 years to go from wagons to internal combustion engines and autonomous electric vehicles nuclear power, moon landings, the internet, touchscreen devices, all that.

It’s a combination of patent law to help innovators get rewarded combined with the valuing a system where every citizen owns access to economic resources. It’s capitalism and innovation. It wasn’t perfect, but there was an increasing quality of life.

It used to be that under 500 hours of minimum wage work could pay for a 4 year degree. It used to be that minimum wage from one household member can afford a college education car, house, and yearly vacation to Disney land, all Combined without debt that lasts more than 5 years.

Now, not even 4000 hours of minimum wage can afford a college degree without debt. Two minimum wages can’t afford a degree without debt. Two minimum wages can’t afford a house without debt that lasts over 5 years. Or a vacation to Disney. Or a house. Two minimum wages can’t support one of those without debt that lasts over 5 years.

it’s just crony capitalism and corporatism now. It’s all regulatory capture and lobbying. When big companies succeed they keep the profits and when they fail the public taxes pay for that failure. Its socialism for corporations and wage slavery for the common citizenry.

If today’s billionaires and key decision makers were placed in the US 1776, Britain would have needed just 6 months and half their army to completely quell the rebellion. Quality reasoning and critical thinking skills are just missing at all levels in society from the bottom to the top. And oh, is it MISSING at the top.

The smart people who value themselves deserve better.