Wow. You could probably have said that in a couple of paragraphs, but I enjoyed it.

The reality phase of your argument is “follow the money” to the source of our policies and you’ll end up at the checkout lines in suburbia.

The opposite of unfettered capital based rapacity is sales taxes. Our power is reduced by the income tax code that encourages spending/debt and discourages productive earning while providing infinite routes for corruption of both corporate and government administrators.