But oil, steel, railroads, and banks? They made every aspect of commerce work in 19th century America. Everybody was touched by them every single day. Every product you purchased was delivered and likely financed by those industries.
The liberal epithet of "robber barons" makes me furious. Read "The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America" by Burton W. Folsom for a more honest appraisal of the men who built businesses and transformed America.
Correct.
and my mother was a ‘shut in’ and did just fine with email and the phone, plus even -gasp- writing actual letters. nobody “needs” FB, google or amazon.
Personally I simply do not care in the slightest about the politics, donations, statements, lifestyle, appearance or perceived reputation of any entity I do business with, musician I listen to or actor I might watch; the *only* criteria is ‘do I get value for my money’, period.
The opinions of others, who insist on ideological and/or moral alignment and/or purity of those they do business with are their business, and they are free to vote with their pocketbook, too. Freedom is great.