There is an Ayn Rand quote that, in my opinion, illustrates where we are today with regards to the state of our nation.
When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion –
when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission
from men who produce nothing – when you see that money is flowing to
those who deal, not in goods, but in favors – when you see that men get
richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect
you against them, but protect them against you – when you see corruption
being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice – you may know
that your society is doomed.