The change in attitude was greatly aided when the democrats/liberals/socialists successfully replaced the term “Free Enterprise” with “Capitalism” in common useage.
For many years they have been quite successful in advancing their leftist agenda through manipulation of the language.
Remember when “Gay” meant happy and carefree instead of pervert?
Look how they coined the terms “Pro Choice” and
“Women’s reproductive rights” to disguise the killing of a living being by abortion.
Perceptive and well said. And good for you writing "leftist" rather than "liberal."