>>7 Corporations can manipulate society and destroy democracy without the aid of gubbymint. But gubbymint has helped thus far, I'll give you that. I hate the American gubbymint to a heavy degree, considering it destroyed the chance the world had for reconstruction and liberalism in the 1920's. But in a non-meritocratic society, welfare is justified. US spends less on the public security net. The US have more poor people per capita. Correlation =/= causation, but it gives some signs for where you can look further.
Also, considering the most despicable but also the most utilitarian corporations on the planet operate in the US, I think laissez-faire is something that should be implemented when citizens treat their money the way they treat their voting slips. McDonalds conduct business in a truly despicable way, and yet ADULTS succumb to peer pressure and gobble it down, even "treating" their kids to what is essentially overpriced poison. Child abuse. You still haven't grasped your rifles and raccoonhats and stormed Diebold or Bechtel either, even though it has spit on your most precious fundaments many times already. They got these props because of lobbying and manipulation, but since the 2nd amendment exists for you to crush the government if it gives your money and environment to sick fucks, there seems to be a discourse between rethoric and practice here. Can you be trusted with further responsibility, or will yet more people and principles be discarded in the name of growth?