Caricatures

Regulated, properly-taxed capitalism facilitated the most prosperous era (post-WW2) in human history. The power structure it created was more like a power gradient that, while imperfect, still allowed for an expansion of welfare and social justice worldwide. If it had maintained its flexibility it would have been able to meet the challenge of climate change head-on. But it could never outmaneuver the onslaught of foreign propaganda combined with greed of those near the top. The human traits of greed, power-lust, and violence (the hailmarks of conservatism) are the true barrier to sort out. The leftist fixation on the financial system that makes the economy turn is understandable but misguided. A strong social safety net is socialism - it's smart policy! It's not too late to realize we don't have to tear it all down to get to utopia.