I think it would be better said as "unchecked capitalism". For the most part, the US democracy experiment had prosperity, infrastructure, and common good until

I think it would be better said as "unchecked capitalism". For the most part, the US democracy experiment had prosperity, infrastructure, and common good until about the 70's. The EPA was just coming on line with clean air and water measures. But at the same time, all of the careful checks and balances that separated corporate and public moneys began being eroded, to the point where we're now actually PAYING fossil fuel companies subsidies and protections to pollute while at the same time they're lobbying against any emissions sanity. If the US were to remove money from politics, restore checks and balances, and stop subsidizing public harm, it could again say it's the least bad alternative.