It started with man trying to stop the boom-bust cycles of the free market. The progressives of the early twentieth centry are the major culprits. Once you go down that slope, the natural progression is to have gov't try to fix all of society's problems -- attempt to create a heaven on earth, so to speak.
Education is the first step towards getting it back. Revamp the curriculum. Insist on local funding and local control of schools, perhaps taking them to the private sector. Vote out the bums. Amend the constitution to solidify states rights.
Ending indoctrination is perhaps our most important struggle. My fear is always that they will one day indoctrinate a critical mass of useful idiots that will finally finish giving away all of our freedoms.