Capitalism is a worldwide problem, but in the USA Citizens United was a significant step. When it happened everyone said that it was only a matter of time before democracy collapsed in the USA and the billionaires had complete power. It seems the predictions were right.

Where and when did we fucking go wrong?

it’s a story of corruption, cults, and mind control

https://harvardpolitics.com/in-god-we-trust-how-american-christianity-became-republicanism/

https://newrepublic.com/article/188337/cultural-christianity-taking-conservative-movement

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1156642544/more-than-half-of-republicans-support-christian-nationalism-according-to-a-new-s

no, religion didn’t cause this, but the capacity to believe something to be true just you want it to be true (faith)–and no one’s allowed to criticize your “sincerely held religious beliefs”-- 100% allowed this to happen

edit: finally found the quote i was looking for by barry goldwater:

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.

The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are NOT using their religious clout with WISDOM. I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D.’ Just who do they think they are?.. I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of “conservatism.”

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/5/19/1385982/-50-Years-Ago-Barry-Goldwater-Saw-the-Future

unfortunately, as of now, that fight is lost

Lack of and/or the dumbing down of education, and a huge dose of propaganda.

Where and when did we fucking go wrong?

we keep voting for the lesser evil because we keep swallowing propaganda like “voting 3rd party is unrealistic” and “we have the best system in the world”.