In the modern era of retail investing and hedge funds and liquidity providers, I don't know if stocks and "betting on American industry" are the long term value

In the modern era of retail investing and hedge funds and liquidity providers, I don't know if stocks and "betting on American industry" are the long term value they were in the past. Although, if you take the view that corporations are pillaging America and its taxpayers, then owning stock maybe just the hedge you need. If those corporations' managers aren't pillaging the corporations.