Reply #117: It goes in cycles.

[JoeyT]

The excesses of the robber barons are what put public support behind unions and social programs the first time around. And it's looking like that will be the driving force behind them again. Then the capitalists will ramp the propaganda up again, and over the next few decades manage to get rid of most of the regulation and reform. The citizens rise up again, etc. The New Deal and middle class were more or less created to head off the rising support for socialism/communism, and support for socialism is growing again in spite of the propaganda.

FWIW I don't think we'll see the 1930s mass starvation due to unemployment. Communication and transportation are too accessible now. I think we're going to see food riots.

Edited to add: I agree with you completely by the way.