What is happening in larger terms is the American Revolution and its consequences are being rolled back. Power is once again being centralized, "rights" are becoming something akin to what an 18th century noble granted to his subjects: goodies handed out for behaving.
No longer does achievement place you in society, political affiliation does. The political class is gaining ever more control over the nation and all efforts to resist it are being marginalized. Business owners who do not ingratiate themselves to politicians of the right stripe find themselves vilified and hated.
I hadn’t thought to think of it that way, and I certainly cannot poke any holes in your argument.