Thanks for your opinion. It seems most people blame the New Deal. But, as you point out, the problem began much earlier.
Me... When I think of U.S. history prior to the War Between the States, I think of slave labor. The Left claims capitalism was enabled by slave labor. (Maybe they see a distinction between capitalism and the free market?) But, IMHO, they’re wrong: Slave labor exists where there is no free market capitalism because a slave is not trading his labor freely.
Of course, in those markets where slave labor wasn’t used, I believe you that the free market was left virtually unfettered in those early days.
My biggest beef these days is that government has monopolized education. I’d like all education to be sold on the free market. I’ll never understand why so many people balk at that suggestion, as if it’s an extremist position to take.
You are erring with the assumption about slave labor.
The south had slave labor the north had child labor.
A distinction without a difference.