I'm on the side that things are better now than ever. Specifically with a trend line through the COVID dip that we are still recovering from.
People are coming to America by the 1000's everyday because this is the best place in the world for opportunity.
The super rich are not our enemies.
And, convenient plagues upon settlement, pretty much an empty continent with all of these plentiful resources. Which caused a huge spring board effect.
It's basically an entire country that has survivor bias.
I’ve witnessed how decisions are made in a country with no billionaires - they were made by Politburo guys. I’ve also witnessed how decisions are made by Elon Mask. I’d have Mask over Politburo every time.
Billionaires are just centers of power who are not subject to the Party ideology and control. Why would anyone refuse having the power more distributed?
There does seem to be a segment of people that aren't super rich, but are rich enough to be isolated and don't realize there is a huge number of people really struggling. They don't seem to realize 'poor' people exists. Or think they should just get a job.
Typically, this class of 'bour·geoi·sie' don't realize they are benefiting from the 'class war' being waged by the super rich, and that they are actually winning.