Fewer are becoming wealthy by working hard, being good people and following the rules(which are often written to work against competition). Instead it often happens by ‘knowing’ the right people that can help:
get “creative” with taxes
cherrypick permits while denying competition
get uncompetitive access to taxpayer funds
put pressure on competition
write favorable laws
find lawyers that ‘know’ judges
skirt patent law knowing a small inventor has no means to defend
seize private property at taxpayer expense
imprison people you don't like for easily generated crimes
allow labor export to slave states
Etc (these are just a few off the top of my head)
Every new wealthy person I know has taken advantage of this crony system at some level. They tell me generally the same thing “in today's business, there ain't no such thing as honest business”. I tell them I like to sleep at night and I will be judged someday.
I'm back home in the USSR and it makes me sick every day.
Prepare for the flaming.
You have just spoken blasphemy on FR.